Each week, we’re going to be looking at a couple of items that we’re consulting on with our community from this year’s Long-term Plan, and unpacking the topics:

Alexandra outdoor pool

The outdoor pool opened 20 years ago at Molyneux Park and there has been a steady decline in its use.

This question is about whether it is time to permanently decommission the outdoor pool. This will not impact the indoor pool, which is heavily used.

When the outdoor pool was built, it was because of the affection held for the decommissioned Centennial Baths on Thompson Street.

However, over the years, Council staff have noticed a steady decline in the outdoor pool’s use, despite admissions increasing year on year at the Alexandra Pool facility.

This is probably because of the number of other outdoor swimming options, at nearby rivers, Lake Dunstan, and neighbouring community pools, and the relative water temperature and climate of the outdoor pool compared with indoor pool options.

In addition, the pool’s ageing operating system is nearing end-of-life, is costly to run, and is estimated to cost about $500,000 to replace.

In this LTP, it seemed like a good time to ask your views on whether there is still a need for an outdoor pool at the Alexandra Pool.

The cost of running Alexandra’s outdoor swimming pool is $200,000 per annum, plus an additional $10,000 a month if the water is heated. The pool is open for public use during the summer season (December through March).

The estimated cost of decommissioning the pool is $50,000. If it was dismantled, there could be potential opportunities to repurpose the outdoor area for future activities.

We want to hear your views on this.