Tauranga City Aquatics Limited CEO Tania Delahunty says the company's engagement of a public relations company is a 'normal move”.
It has hired Village Public Relations and Marketing to assist it in renewing its information campaign and to help restore its public profile.
The Mount Hot Pools are closed for about 18 weeks as maintenance is undertaken there. In the meantime, TCAL is hoping to boost public support for its redevelopment plans.
This move comes after Tania recognised in June that TCAL needs to improve its transparency and interaction with the community.
At this time, she commented: 'We acknowledge that the communication and dialogue surrounding the hot pools needs to be improved”.
Tania says engaging a PR company is a 'normal move” and its involvement will include help with an integrated media campaign.
'While we are part of the council, we wanted to avoid the confusion and conflict of interest and remain independent when it comes to the hot pools project,” says Tania.
'We don't have a communications person on staff and we've always used public relations companies – I'm an accountant by trade and am no good at writing articles.”
Tania says there has also been a bit of media attention about the hot pools, with some accounts not factual.
'We just want to make sure people have the facts in front of them.”
Also being undertaken is the starting of a Facebook page called ‘I love the New Mount Hot Pools'.
This is to help promote the redevelopment of the hot pools after it suffered a major setback when an independent commissioner declared the project was inadmissible.
The decision was appealed by TCAL and it is working toward an improved plan that would receive consent.
This work is separate to the maintenance being undertaken on the hot pools presently.
While this work will make the hot salt water pools operational, they won't provide the desired end result for TCAL.
'It was built in the ‘80s and a lot of it is underground, so a lick of paint won't fix it,” says Tania.
35 comments
Unreasonable expenditure
Posted on 13-07-2011 10:44 | By Inconvenient Truth
Unless the cost of this PR exercise is being deducted from the salary of the CEO, it's about time this extravagance stopped. I'm sure cashflow isn't exactly great at the moment with no admission fees and all those staff and CEO to pay. What is the cost of this PR? Who are the Village PR company? I think TCAL has had its chance on the pools and didn't deliver the goods. It seemed a reasonable idea, contrary to what some of the always negatives would say, but I've lost any confidence in the ability of TCAL to provide an efficient result. Just do a basic upgrade without need for any fancy resource consent. That's all the users want and they're prepared to pay that smaller cost. It's amazing that something as simple as a soak in a hot pool has become so complicated.
You can't make a silk purse ...
Posted on 13-07-2011 11:16 | By SpeakUp
...out of a pigs ear.
Up keep
Posted on 13-07-2011 11:34 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
If TCAL was to spend the money on the upkeep of the Pools instead of wasting the money on appeals etc then we would still have a fantastic complex. We don,t need a big Health Complex there.It would be a White Elephant. The place is empty most of the time and every time they increase the entry fee less people can afford to go. Its time someone in the Council got some guts and said stop wasting Rate Payers money. Update what we already have , drop the prices and the pools will be full again.
Dear Tania
Posted on 13-07-2011 12:02 | By bigted
Talk. Talk to the media. Great. To hire people to 'inform' us defies logic, i.e. more wasted $$$. You CAN do it!
Information
Posted on 13-07-2011 12:30 | By TCAL
The facts of this redevelopment can be found on our new Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/newmounthotpools On this page you can pose any questions about the details of the redevelopment, which will be answered with the facts. To answer some of your comments here, the redevelopment will not be paid for by ratepayers and in fact the Mount Hot Pools are part of a pool network in Tauranga that is mostly funded by its own profits (only a 30% ratepayer top-up required at present that could be reduced by the redevelopment). This is an innovative business model that is unique in New Zealand. The pools network, which relies on the success of the hot pools, is a crucial public service in the water safety, leisure and exercise of the Tauranga community. Redevelopment of the hot pools will future-proof the entire network, as well as the iconic hot pools themselves. For more visit the above Facebook page.
TCAL should be gone
Posted on 13-07-2011 12:31 | By tabatha
Unless the CEO is prepared to pay for the PR company out of her pocket she needs to stop this spend spend idea she has. There is only a limited supply and for a CEO she seems to keep finding money. Yes money makes money but at this time the spending of TCAL seems to be out of hand. Question to all who read the page how many of you really have faith in this CEO. I know for one I do not.
Stop the Negativity
Posted on 13-07-2011 12:45 | By JenniPea
Well done to TCAL for being prepared to fight for vibrant hotpools for our region. Its time the negative whingers in this town stopped dominating the comments pages and everything else in this city. I believe the hot pools do need an upgrade and will be a great asset to this city. Not everyone is against them and I am sick of the usual few suspects who whine on these pages assuming that they speak for the majority. You can make no such assumption.
How can TCAL use its profits?
Posted on 13-07-2011 13:07 | By Inconvenient Truth
If a 30% subsidy is required, how can TCAL think it makes a profit anyway? If the profits don't happen who is responsible for paying back the loan? Is it TCC ratepayers or the CEO and directors of TCAL? Answer appreciated here because I can't work out this facebook thing.
Listening and thinking are the problem not speaking!
Posted on 13-07-2011 13:13 | By Openknee8ted
"We acknowledge that the communication and dialogue surrounding the hot pools needs to be improved" Try improving your listening skills first nobody wants your grandiose plans. GET OF TCAL ALL TOGETHER AND EMPLOY A POOL MANAGER.
PR help or Propaganda
Posted on 13-07-2011 13:53 | By waiknot
This makes my blood boil, TCAL/Council need to listen to the people and act accordingly not arrogantly start a propaganda campaign to bring the people in-line with TCAL's wishes. TCAL/Council must be outraged that the people think they are entitled to have an opinion.
Response
Posted on 13-07-2011 14:03 | By TCAL
The cost of the redevelopment project is $7.5 million and in an almost unheard of move, none of this money will come from rates. TCAL will repay the loan (and interest) with revenue generated by the redevelopment. These future plans will ensure pool entry prices stay the same and that the opportunity to make network entirely funded by user-fees is a reality. The conservative numbers show that this project adds up financially, reaps rewards for the entire Tauranga community and protects an iconic asset. TCAL is committed to supporting a community that swims by ensuring swimming is affordable and accessible and that people are equipped and motivated to swim. Hanmer Springs, Polynesian Pools in Rotorua and Alpine Springs in Tekapo are proven case studies of the major benefits of such developments to an area. It's not just the Mount Hot Pools that will see increased profits, the economic benefit flows on to all the other surrounding businesses such as cafes, hotels, restaurants, retail stores and the like. A thorough consultation process was conducted up to the initial hearing in 2009, including a purpose built website, a brochure drop to households, a staffed concept centre, road shows and meetings with stakeholders. Qualitative research conducted in 2008 showed 70.3% of those surveyed supported the redevelopment. The community project is also supported the council and local iwi.
good on tcal for trying to make a change
Posted on 13-07-2011 14:15 | By esquire
so many haters out there.... I just don't get how it all costs so much. All these plans and stuff seem to come with epic price tags.
Thanks TCAL
Posted on 13-07-2011 14:34 | By tabatha
Thanks TCAL for being up front, if the statement can really say it will cost nothing are they saying that from now the TCC will receive an income from the pools, at no extra cost to the users, and at no stage will TCAL have the need for TCC money input? I do not think so.
TCAL Post
Posted on 13-07-2011 14:41 | By bigted
To the 'TCAL" respondent. Your post is fine, however as long as you stay anonymous you remain unaccountable for your "wish list". 'Oh what a tangled web we weave when it is our mission to deceive'.
MORE B--s and arrogance
Posted on 13-07-2011 14:49 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Tauranga City Aquatics Limited CEO Tania Delahunty's statement that this is a normal move/expenditure defies belief. The commissioner has given a RULING, she and TCC don't like it and like undisciplined little children they think that ignoring it and carrying on with an unwanted pie in the sky white elephant project that DONT FIT in the physical space available is responsible and ethical behaviour. As a ratepayer I've had a gutsful of these folk who won't face reality, and wouldn't survive in the real world that the rest of us work and pay rates in.
@ TCAL
Posted on 13-07-2011 14:50 | By WOFTAM
If you are right (Not likely on the mistruth of late) the pools can not possibly make enough to cover 70% of its costs. The prime reason for that is that most costs are not paid by TCAL but from elsewhere within TCC a couple of good examples are: The Baywave carpark comes out of the Foot path reserve for some reason? All the debt of Baywave of about $24 million has not been repaid and the interest is being paid by TCC still after six years. The plan stated then was that it would "it would make a profit". The same was said for Baypark to. I hate to point out the obvious but what is said here does not happen, end result ratepayers pay!
PR NOT FACTS FROM TCAL!
Posted on 13-07-2011 14:59 | By Secret Squirrel
Is so overdue to get TCAL to open the books on what has gone before and to date. The real answer here is that and TCC project will fail to make money, good examples to date are all over the place like Baywave, Jazz Festival (want more $$$ from Ratepayers $90,000 on top of the $240,000 given away already) Mt Greens is a $4m cost to ratepayers a year and nothing will ever come back. All of this is just political hype because someone dared to object and they were right. Reminds me of a toddler having a tantrum and throwing all the toys out of the cot. If it is so good then let's see the Directors of TCAL borrow the money and take the risk, then lets see how fast they cancel it all and walk away.
Redrafting Redevelopment Plans
Posted on 13-07-2011 15:55 | By TCAL
TCAL is welcoming mediation on 19th July as it continues to redraft its plans to address points made by the Independent Planning Commissioner in 2011 about the redevelopment's scale, height, impact on green space and parking.
Tauranga City Aquatics Limited
Posted on 13-07-2011 15:59 | By TCAL
Just to make it clear, TCAL is Tauranga City Aquatics Limited responding directly to your comments and questions.
Response
Posted on 13-07-2011 16:49 | By TCAL
Baywave is now enjoying 500,000 user visits per year. That is 500,000 visits more (whether that be for exercise, swimming and water safety lessons or leisure) than before the facility was built. The Baywave carpark was part of the larger facility that is owned and managed by TCAL. TCAL is not aware of any maintenance coming from Council and certainly we do pay for maintenance. However Council do own all then land on which Baywave is built and are responsible for that maintenance and up keep. While the carpark is for the users of Baywave, this is not enforcement. It is extensively used every Sunday by the Church and also well used every day by the users of the skatepark, which is a Council facility. TCAL also pay for all the lighting of the carpark, which again is well utilised by the skatepark users. TCAL repay Council debt in accordance with Council debt reduction policy. Debt reduction is funded from the build-up in depreciation reserves. Again this is no different to any other activity in Council. The total cost of Baywave was $19.3m. Of this $4m was by way of grants from TECT, which does not have to be repaid. TCAL was not in existence when Baywave was approved or when TECT funding was sought. Suffice to say it is not common for community aquatic facilities i.e. swimming pools to make a profit. Most councils would require rates funding to pay for swimming pools. However some facilities such as Hanmer and the Mount Hot Pools do make a profit. In our case this profit goes to subsidise the more expensive facilities such as swimming pools. Council in developing Baywave also moved to a new model of business delivery, that of a CCO. They also approved the inclusion in the Baywave design of services that would make a profit and reduce the overall cost.
Thanks TCAL
Posted on 13-07-2011 16:59 | By esquire
I just think we should say thanks to TCAL for fronting up here on sunlive and making comments. It is really excellent that they will do that...
Yep Tank yous masssa ....
Posted on 13-07-2011 17:17 | By Tony
Thank you for telling the funders how you intend to spend the funs ...If they are so sure the numbers stack up.....Publish the business modle and lets see the Facts ....Go On Dare ya
Propaganda BS
Posted on 13-07-2011 17:52 | By SpeakUp
Brilliant info and comment from Secret Squirrel, Woftam, xenasdad et alt. TCAL propaganda will not diminish the fact that, for example, the CEO (deputy mayor David Stewart having fled from public scrutiny) is/was paid 170.000,00 a year for what??? How on earth can that be justified? And profit? Any business with the performance of TCAL would have faltered long time ago. This TCAL propaganda is whipped up BS. We enjoy the pools, we have financed them, but the bureaucracy has to be replaced. It's a gravy train for ‘management'.
Unique and innovative business model
Posted on 13-07-2011 19:47 | By TCAL
It is unique in New Zealand to have a network of pools that requires so little of ratepayers' money. Currently the network model is mostly paid by user fees (approximately 70%). Take Wellington for example, it is entirely the reverse.
Public are running out of time and patience
Posted on 13-07-2011 20:20 | By Investigator
Reads like a paid PR advert too.Hey Village Id***s got a real business case in your box of tricks by any chance-doubt it.As a matter of interest who is paying for the PR nonsense rumoured to be $30k plus-try TCC Ratepayers for starters.
@ TCAL
Posted on 13-07-2011 21:48 | By Vomit
3/4+ of "user fees" are from TCC and not from "public" users. TCAL can not survive without, where is all the money coming from for all of these consultants, other being paid fro from?
Rape
Posted on 13-07-2011 23:28 | By reeceracer
That's what this is. RAPE. NO means NO! When I heard they were appealing the commissioners decision I was dumbfounded at how thick these overpaid wogs really are. Maybe Campbell Live should do a program on this to uncover what a stubborn misleading fraud this is. 7.5 mill? Yeah Right! And they are still spending! I also feel for all the harbour side campers who as of July have not had confirmation of their sites for Xmas. Bit late to try to book somewhere else now poor buggers.Even if no soil is turned I'd like to know how this affects them. Holidaymakers don't want a 'wellness centre' thats what camping is to them. Cruise liners have their own, so how many locals are really going to use it? It's bad enough finding a park over Summer as it is without taking up more land for another 'Pool users only,Tow Away Area'. I'm not normally a negative person but this just gives me the shits. Bring in John Campbell....
More money down the gurgla
Posted on 14-07-2011 11:46 | By methinks
Another name for PR is 'spin doctor', why do you need these people? Are we not listening and agreeing? Are we not falling into line and doing what you want Tania? So now you will pay someone to spin it differently and we will jump aboard like a load of old sheep? Ah nah - failed again Tania!!
Moron's
Posted on 14-07-2011 20:30 | By bailey
What is wrong with you people??!! I worked for the previous two management companies so have an idea of how things work...... Yeah, lets get rid of TCAL and bring a Management company in so they can pilfer all the funds and send overseas before going bankrupt like those Australian idiots a couple years back - great idea! Or better yet, let Council run it. What a fantastic idea that would be. Those guys couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery! The people who know what they are doing are the people there now. The biggest mistake TCAL ever made was not doing a thorough asset condition check. Council handed over a bunch of facilities that are a miracle to still be functioning. Give the CEO a break. She does a good job, given what Council left her to work with.
@ TCAL
Posted on 15-07-2011 09:58 | By Nigel Barker
You should be absolutely ASHAMED for posting under 'OUR' company name without identifying who you are. In my opinion you are being deceitful & gutless. If you believe what you say, if you are being honest about what you say then front up and be identified. "OUR",of course relates to "OUR" Tauranga Ratepayer funded/owned company. SHAME on you! -Citizens Monitoring Council-
TCAL DESPERATE
Posted on 15-07-2011 12:46 | By YOGI
To employ a PR machine to spin out a story for the punters to believe says it all about the facts here, that they "need" help to try and make the TCAL stories stick, but sadly for TCAL the truth is already out.
NEED FOR PR
Posted on 15-07-2011 20:38 | By PLONKER
This is a clear indication that the "leadership" at TCAL are finding it ever desperately difficult to front up to the truth. The only explanation is that TCAL is reeling in response to internally created haemorrhaging and the PR consultant is needed to stave off the inevitable "rigormortis stage".
GOT IT PLONKER!
Posted on 16-07-2011 16:16 | By WOFTAM
However and VERY sadly for us all TCC will throw the cheque book at TCAL to pay all the bils and debt whatever happens, it is indeed an oppurtune time for the Director's to be held responsbile for the decisions they make (like in the real world) and stop hiding behind the TCC paid for indemnity insurance (means walk away ... it was not me ...)
RIGORMORTIS STAGE!!
Posted on 17-07-2011 20:47 | By TERMITE
TCC, TCAL and the rest are all at that stage for sure, it will be a scamble to see who tips over the edge first, then watch the landslide follow then.
NATALIE BRIDGES
Posted on 19-07-2011 00:23 | By TERMITE
She is the PR magnate on the job for TCAL here, she is a really nice lady, why is she getting involved with this lot?
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