Issues attracting trained lifeguards may see the Central Otago District Council step in to take ownership of Roxburgh’s new community pool.

The $3million community-owned and operated pool opened in December 2023 after two decades of fundraising, including $500,000 from council towards construction.

It replaced the 89-year-old former Roxburgh pool which had deteriorated and was demolished in 2022.

The new facility was built on the same site behind Roxburgh Area School, on land owned by the council.

The Ida Macdonald Roxburgh Pool Punawai Ora Committee recently decided to transfer ownership and management of the pool to the council, and that was backed by the Teviot Community Board at its meeting on Thursday.

The facility was currently run by volunteers and has had issues attracting staff and lifeguards since it opened, which meant no-one under 18 could swim there without an adult.

Lifeguards needed to be 16 years old to complete their Pool Lifeguard Practicing Certificate. 

It was noted it cost $10,000 to train a lifeguard.

The Ida Macdonald Roxburgh pool opens this weekend for summer, but without any lifeguards. FILE SHOT

“The thing that is overlooked is that most 18-year-olds don’t go to the pool,” board member Gill Booth said.

Community board chair Norman Dalley said the concern with transferring ownership to the council directly related to what was best for the community.

“I have been involved in many groups that are struggling with volunteers, and can understand why people won’t put their hand up. In running an operation like a pool you are essentially being a babysitter,” he said.

The pool committee also came to the realisation the complexities and costs associated with managing and maintaining a pool had increased.

Having council own and operate it also meant the capacity to invest in necessary upgrades and improvements, ensuring its long term viability.

But with council ownership and the recent move towards districtisation there was now the issue of increased rates - an extra $233 a year - for the Teviot community, 

Ongoing costs would form part of the Long-Term Plan 2025-34 discussion, with the approximate $250,000 increase to pool operating costs impacting the average rates increase.

Finding trained staff was a district-wide issue across all of the council-owned pools, and there were often vacancies advertised in Alexandra, Cromwell and Ranfurly, particularly in the summer months.

Since 2020, lifeguards had been involved in a total of 59 rescues at council-owned pools across the region, and new measures had been put in place as a result of two incidents in Cromwell in recent years.

WorkSafe NZ recommended additional scenario-based training be provided to lifeguards, as well as training refresher courses for swim centre staff, including casual members that would cover emergency procedures, after an investigation following a near

drowning earlier this year.

This included understanding the roles and responsibilities of pool lifeguards; understanding aquatic supervision techniques; demonstrating aquatic rescue techniques for casualties in a range of scenarios; and completing the Pool Lifeguard Logbook (which

includes 20 hours of poolside supervision, facility inspections, dealing with hazards, supervising pool areas and aquatic activities).

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]