Ngakawau’s swimming pool to reopen this weekend following significant upgrades

The Buller Mining Districts Community Centres Society (BMDCCS) will celebrate the reopening of the Ngakawau swimming pool this Sunday, following a series of improvements to the facilities made over the last six months.

The Ngakawau Pool is an important asset for the community, much loved and well-used by locals, school holiday programmes, visitors from Westport and holidaymakers passing through.

The pool dates back to the late 1960s, and the local community has spent many volunteer hours both building the pool initially, maintaining and operating it over the years.

The BMDCCS Ngakawau Pool subcommittee received Better Off Funding of $310,000 through Buller District Council for pool improvements necessary to guarantee the survival of this key community resource. This means families have continued access to a safe place to swim and learn all-important water safety skills.

The improvements include installation of a new pool lining system to protect and preserve the life of the pool, plus an upgraded filtration system and upgrades to its pump shed and perimeter fencing.
Key contractors Coombes Aquatics completed the bulk of the pool work, with volunteers lending a hand to reroof the plant room and install new fencing. Painting contractors Struan Décor will complete their work this week.

BMDCCS Ngakawau Pool subcommittee member and Society Secretary Marie Standing says: “Our pool is extremely important to the local community – we live close to both rivers and the sea, so learning about water safety in the local pool equips our children with essential survival skills for these environments.

Granity School brings classes to swim every day in the summer during Term One, and the Ngakawau Pool is where many of our children have their first swimming experiences. A future goal is to install a ramp in the pool to allow older members of our community safe pool access as well.”

The wider Buller community is invited to head along to the Ngakawau Pool on Sunday 15 December from 2 pm and enjoy the reopening festivities, which include a sausage sizzle and the opportunity to check out the upgraded facilities and have a swim.

Buller District Council wishes to thank the BMDCCS Ngakawau Pool subcommittee and volunteers who have contributed towards the upgrade of this much-valued community asset.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz