Tēnā kōrero mai mo te āhunga whakamua o te Whare Kauhoe o Rotorua - Have your say on future investment in the Rotorua Aquatic Centre

Rotorua Lakes Council will be asking for feedback on the draft 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan (LTP) in April.

The LTP sets out what Council is proposing to achieve over the next ten years and how that will be funded. These proposals will be explained in a consultation document which is available to the community now.

The LTP has been developed based on Council’s key priorities, and details the actions Council is proposing to take in these areas to confront some of Rotorua’s most pressing issues.

These priorities reflect what the community has previously told Council is important to support a safe, thriving and prosperous Rotorua.

One of these key priorities is He Papakāinga, He Hapori Taurikura - Housing and Thriving Communities. Work in this area will be driven by the He Papakāinga, He Hapori Taurikura Te Poupou Rautaki - Rotorua Homes and Thriving Communities Strategic Framework, which was adopted by Council last year.

The vision of Homes and Thriving Communities is that homes in Rotorua are affordable, and that there are enough homes for everyone to be safe and warm. Homes are of different sizes, in different places, located in well-designed communities where people can readily access school, work, shops, services, transport and welcoming shared public spaces.

During the LTP consultation period in April, within the ‘Housing and Thriving Communities’ conversation, Council will be asking the community what level of investment they would like to see put into the Rotorua Aquatic Centre to ensure it is a fit-for-purpose, shared public facility for all to enjoy.

Previously the community has told Council that it values the Aquatic Centre as a facility for locals to use and enjoy. Council reflected this feedback in the 2018-2028 Long-term Plan, setting aside $7.5 million.

Redevelopment began with fixing the slumping issues in the 50m outdoor pool. The pool re-opened earlier this month following an overhaul of the pool tank (liner) to address leaking, extensions to the pool sides to increase the pool depth, a new filtration system, new bulk head (provides for pool to become two 25m pools) and upgrades to the outdoor changing facilities are scheduled for later this year.

The planning and investigations completed over the past three years have shown that the Aquatic Centre needs significant refurbishment and maintenance to address the leaking and deteriorating roof and its structure, the aged ventilation system, the poor state of the changing rooms and accessibility facilities, the inadequate reception area and wind tunnelling issues. Investment is also required to increase pool space flexibility, including developing a dedicated learn to swim pool which will provide a facility that will meet the demands of the community for the next 25 years.

Rotorua is surrounded by lakes and rivers, therefore there should be facilities provided to ensure tamariki/children have the skills and confidence to be safe in the water. The Rotorua Aquatic Centre plays a vital role in this.

A decision is now required about further investment in the Aquatic Centre. All options require a level of substantial investment. The options range from doing the bare minimum, to repair and replace only the worst affected areas, through to investing in the Aquatic Centre to create a facility the community is proud to visit, to learn to swim in, to have fun in, and to enjoy being active in. Council will be asking for your feedback on these options in April.

Feedback about the Aquatic Centre during the LTP consultation period will determine the future of the facility.

Tēnā kōrero mai - Have your say

The outcome of the LTP consultation will affect everyone in Rotorua, so all views matter, and we want feedback to inform elected members’ decision making.

This site is where to find all information about the 2021-2031 LTP and consultation process, and where to provide feedback during April. Currently it provides information and FAQs about the LTP and this will be added to as the process progresses.

This is the time to work together to make Rotorua a place for everyone.
Koinei te wā kia mahitahi tātau mo Rotorua te kainga mo te katoa!