Consultation on the Sheffield Memorial Pool is now open

Consultation on the future of the Sheffield Memorial Pool is now open to the public.

The consultation, which closes on 14 February 2025, asks the people of Waikirikiri Selwyn to consider whether there is a suitable community-run legal entity that could take over the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Sheffield Memorial Pool.

The Council requested feedback on a proposal to close the pool in the 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan consultation. After listening to submissions and public hearing presentations to the Council by Malvern residents, the Council agreed to keep the pool open for the 2024-2025 swim season and open a targeted consultation with the community about the potential divestment of the facility to a community-run legal entity who would own and operate the pool in the future.

Having the pool operated by the Council for one more season is a decision Councillor Lydia Gliddon supports. “The feedback from locals is that they want the pool to remain open. The community now have time to provide feedback on whether there is a suitable legal entity within the community to take over the pool.”

Denise Kidd, Executive Director - Community Services & Facilities, says over the last few years the Council have discussed the long-term future of the pool and its condition. “The pool is an aging asset at the end of its serviceable life, with relatively low usage that requires significant investment to refurbish the facility and resolve land stability and ownership issues. This cost would be at least $1 million. We heard how important the pool is to the local community from the submissions we received on the 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan consultation. This public consultation gives the community a chance to take over the pool.”

If public consultation leads to the identification of a suitable community-run legal entity, along with support from the community for the transfer of the Sheffield Memorial Pool to take place, the Council will need to be satisfied the entity has sufficient funds and capability to operate the pool.

If no arrangement for transfer can be agreed upon by 30 June 2025, the Council will proceed with the permanent closure/demolition of the pool.

Ms Kidd wants to assure the community that the Council is planning to ensure a distributed network of facilities across the district, to service all Selwyn communities; clustering quality and complementary facilities where it makes sense to do so. “The Darfield Pool, a 10-minute drive from Sheffield, had major refurbishments in late 2023 that have greatly improved what it can be used for, with longer opening hours and more aquatic programmes.”

The Sheffield Memorial Pool consultation document, feedback form and related information can be found on the Council website selwyn.govt.nz/sheffieldpool.