The steering committee driving the construction of a 50-metre pool in Te Puke will have its first meeting on Monday, says chairman Mark Boyle.

Comprising of representatives from Te Puke businesses, Maoridom, schools, sports clubs and local body Politicians, the first order of business is to produce a shortlist of possible sites.

Mark Boyle says the idea of a new pool in Te Puke has been met with support and enthusiasm.

'We've identified five sites all within close proximity to the town centre and the schools,” says Mark.

'We will be starting to go public after March 16, when we will start putting up these sites and asking the public for their input.”

When a new Te Puke pool project was discussed a couple of years ago, the reported costs involved were as much as $17 million.

But Mark thinks they can do it for less than half of that figure based on other 50-metre pool projects and the costs of other local body projects around the country.

Funding is expected to come from lottery grants, TECT and old-fashioned fund raising.

'It revolves around the people of Te Puke and the energy of Te Puke to find ways to raise the money,” adds Mark.

'It's not Te Puke going to our council and asking them to solve it, it's Te Puke finding its own solutions.

'There's quite a bit of buzz around. People know we had a stakeholder meeting in February and through word of mouth they know we are starting to formalise how we go forward.”

The projected timeframe for the pool to be finished is three years. The project is being led by the Te Puke Economic Development Group.

At a February presentation to community stakeholders in the Te Puke Town Hall, Mark outlined a programme to take the initiative forward.

It included a ‘Who, Where and How?' approach, identifying the various sporting groups, schools, economic sectors and community groups that can play a part as well as picking possible construction sites and a programme to assess the options to identify the best location.

It also includes an overarching view of how funds can be raised and how the community can work together to make the goal a reality within a sensible timeframe.

'The mood of the stakeholder meeting in February was overwhelmingly positive,” says Mark.

'In the last few months, I have spoken to a broad range of people in Te Puke about our vision and without exception, the response has been supportive and enthusiastic.

'This project will revolve around the people of Te Puke and community energy to deliver a first-class solution for a first-class town and district. It will add substantial value to 'Te Puke Goodness Grows Here.”