The Te Puke Memorial Pool and Dave Hume Pool in Katikati will offer an expanded range of activities and swimming programmes when they open for the summer season, under new operators.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has awarded the pool service delivery contract for the two pools to Bay Venues, for the next four years, with a two-year, performance-based extension.

Council also approved a nine-month operating season for the Dave Hume Pool, once current improvement works have been completed.

The partnership brings new aquatic opportunities for the two communities, while keeping the running of the pools local, says Council’s Interim CEO Miriam Taris.

“Bay Venues is a not-for-profit organisation that has strong community connections and also provides local jobs,” said Taris.

“They already manage five public pools across the Bay of Plenty and are well placed to work with the Katikati and Te Puke communities to expand learn-to-swim programmes and support groups that struggle to access pool space elsewhere. This means better access and more effective use of public pools across the rohe.”

Council owns both the land and facilities at Dave Hume Pool. Council also owns the pool plant, disabled changing rooms and other equipment at the Te Puke Memorial Pool, which is located at Te Puke High School on land owned by Waitaha iwi and leased to the Ministry of Education.

These assets remain under Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s ownership, while Bay Venues will be responsible for their day-to-day operational expenses, including maintenance - but not capital works.

While Bay Venues is a Tauranga City Council-owned Council Controlled Organisation, the finances for the Te Puke and Katikati pools will be managed separately, ensuring ratepayers from each Council only pay for their own pools, while also benefiting from the sharing of some mutual overhead costs.

The Katikati facility was previously operated by the Dave Hume Swimming Pool Trust, and the Te Puke pool by a private contractor – both of these contracts expired in April.

In Katikati the main pool is currently being reconfigured, along with other improvements, to increase learn to swim opportunities, improve accessibility and enable the pools to run for an extended season, from September through to the end of May each year.

Te Puke Memorial Pool. Photo / Supplied.

In Te Puke, a new swimming pool development is earmarked for 2030 in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan, the location and design of which are yet to be decided.

“The existing pools have served their communities well for many years, but with a growing population and evolving expectations of what facilities like these should provide, now was the right time to review how they could best continue to meet current needs,” Taris said.

“While we don’t know exactly what our future pools will look like, we’re focused on making the best use of the facilities we have now so they can continue to offer a wide range of programmes and activities to meet our community’s diverse needs.”

Bay Venues Head of Aquatics, Matthew Strange, said the organisation is proud to bring new offerings to the community, while keeping the operation of these much-loved facilities local.

“We will keep employing local people and are committed to a cost-neutral funding model, introducing operational efficiencies and leveraging economies of scale, without seeking profit,” Strange said.

“We will be offering new community-focused programmes and activities, such as inflatable fun days, and other aqua exercise and activity options, as well as a wide range of BaySwim class options.”

BaySwim is a swim school that teaches people of all ages and abilities, from babies and children all the way up to adults, offering both private and group lessons. It is recognised nationally for its innovative and inclusive programmes that break down barriers and reach members of the community who would otherwise find it difficult to get into a pool and learn to swim.

“We will be sharing our nationally recognised leadership and experience in pool safety, operations and training, and we’ll also be expanding our award-winning Keep Me Safe supervision initiative and pool safety efforts,” Strange said.

The Te Puke Memorial Pool will open for the summer season in October and the Dave Hume Pool in December, after the upgrade work has been completed.