Come December an upgraded Dave Hume pool complex would give more accessibility to all types of users, an extended season, enhanced facilities plus the addition of an outdoor gym.

Dave Hume Swimming Pool Trust had worked tirelessly to bring changes to the community facility to expand its offerings and secure a solid future for all of Katikati to enjoy, said pool manager Daniel Wilks, who sits on the trust.

“The pool has been a central point of our community for the last 51 years and serviced the community on many levels – from baby, learn-to-swim classes and local school competitions to elderly mobility classes and injury rehab, to name a few.

“It was the trust’s vision to see that this is preserved and expanded going into the future.”

The trust runs the facility on Western Bay of Plenty Council land. The council also contributes to the cost of running the complex.

Escalating costs

Wilks said the trust earlier developed a concept of an enclosed pool – via a new roof. But due to escalating costs, the Western Bay council agreed last October to focus its attention on a bulkhead, pool upgrades and a new liner system instead.

In May, council’s reserves and facilities manager Peter Watson said the improvements would be funded via existing budgets from the council’s 2023/2024 financial year and Dave Hume Pool Trust funding. The trust would fundraise for 30% of the upgrade, while the council would fully fund the renewal work.

Dave Hume Swimming Pool complex manager Daniel Wilks. Photo / Merle Cave

Watson said the trust’s commitment and community fundraising efforts had been instrumental in making the upgrades possible.

“These improvements will help future-proof the facility, ensuring it remains a safe, welcoming and sustainable facility for the next generation of swimmers.”

Wilks told Katikati News back in May, when the upgrade began, that the goal to open the complex year-round was still alive, with the roof remaining within the council’s 2021-2031 Long Term Plan.

“If that roofing project does go ahead, it would certainly push out our season to 12 months. Ultimately, that’s been what the trust has wanted.”

Upgrade work

For now though, the upgrade work included the main 33.3m pool being reconfigured to create two pools – a 25m pool and a new 7m learn-to-swim pool.

The bulkhead between the pools would allow the new learn-to-swim 7m pool to be heated to 30C. The current learn-to-swim pool and main 25m pool would remain around the 26-27C mark.

Wilks said the trust had only run swimming lessons in Terms 4 and 1 – “but we’re hoping to be able to run lessons through September, April and May, making use of the new 7m learn-to-swim pool being warmer when outside is still cold”.

The existing learn-to-swim pool would be upgraded to meet current pool safety and water standards. A new disability hoist would be added to the main pool to enhance accessibility – and the previous stairs would remain useable.

“The hoist is so we can get people who are paralysed into the pool because that part of the community has been asking us for this so they can use the pool too. We’ll also have other swim aids to help more people with disabilities to use the pool – we’re trying intently open the pool to all user groups and community groups.”

Wilks said the 25m pool would be deepened, by building up the sides by 20cm, to enhance swimming. The deep end would go from 1.14m to 1.34m and the shallow end from .94m to 1.1m.

“You will still be able to walk end-to-end in the main pool, and walk across the top end,” said Wilks.

The new 7m, 30C pool would accommodate water walkers, senior swimmers and people with disabilities when not in use by learn-to-swim participants.

“In the afternoons it will primarily be used by learn-to-swim [participants] but we’re looking into all options to ensure different users can use this pool during the day.”

The pools would be relined with PVC material and a safer sand filtration system would be installed. Heating and insulation in changing rooms and the reception area would be added, as would a new entrance and changing room doors, new pool covers and upgraded CCTV cameras.

Wilks said upgrading changing rooms was to make the spaces warmer in colder months “to extend the season as much as we could at each end”.

Most happy

Wilks said all user groups – from aquarobics to Masters, a swim squad group and surf club members – were happy with the extended season.

“Support for shortening the pool has not been unanimous but there’s not enough pushback that we would not go ahead with it,” said Wilks.

This complex’s last season [2024-25] had the highest entry numbers of the last decade, said Wilks.

The season was six months long, with one month funded by the trust itself, he said. “Adding another three months’ operating budget from council, the pool will soon be operational for nine months of the year.”

The pool complex was heated with thermal water from a bore, via heat exchange systems into the pools. Asked if the trust could turn up the dial and leave the pools open year-round, Wilks said practically “yes”.

“If the nine-month season is successful I see no reason why we couldn’t look at extending to 12 months – perhaps at shortened hours.”

Asked why this hadn’t been done yet, Wilks said the trust runs the pools via service agreement with council.

“If we stay open longer than nine months the trust would have to fund this itself.”

TECT recently pledged $400,000 to the upgrade, the Lotteries Commission $250,000 and further funding was received from Katikati Lions Club and the trust itself.

Wilks said the trust thanked the organisations for their contributions “as without their funding this project would simply not have gone ahead”. Most exciting was the addition of an outdoor gym.

The addition of outdoor gym equipment will make the Dave Hume facility not only a pool but an entire wellness centre. Photo / Supplied

“With the modern outdoor gym equipment, this will become not only a pool but an entire wellness centre.”

A centre for all

“It’s been the trust’s number one focus for Dave Hume swimming pool to be a centre for all ages, all walks of life and any physical ability. A totally all-encompassing facility for our community. We look forward to welcoming all customers – current and new – back to the pool for what promises to be a great summer!”

With upgrades to finish mid-December, Wilks hoped to host an open day before Christmas. Therefore, although the upcoming season would be cut short by the upgrade, the long-lasting benefits to the community would be worth it, said Wilks.