Poolside at the stadium

WORK on a $10 million pool for Albany is expected to start in 2012 after North Harbour Stadium was finally confirmed as the site.

The decision follows three independent reviews.

Leaked confidential papers showing the latest review backed the stadium over Massey University forced North Shore City Council to debate the issue in public.

A confidential debate had been planned but the council changed its mind after a North Shore Times story revealed the review's findings on the day of the parks committee meeting

The findings are a set-back for the mayor's so-called A-team councillors.

Parks chairman Tony Holman, an A-team member, said there wasn't much to debate because there seemed to be an "inevitable decision whether we like it or not".

Only one A-team member, Vivienne Keohane, voted against the stadium site.

Those outside the A-team said the latest review confirmed their prediction it would again favour the stadium.

Councillor Chris Darby said the issue had been handled in a "scurrilous way" and had gobbled up about $1.2 million.

"Today the A-team gets a D for swimming," he said.

Councillor Margaret Miles said the previous council under mayor George Wood made a good decision in 2006 to back the stadium.

Mr Williams' A-team requested two further reviews to try to get the outcome they wanted, said Mrs Miles.

Mr Williams suggested the panel's findings were closer than portrayed.

But the panel made a point of saying there was a "significant difference" between the two sites, favouring the stadium by 23 percent.

Mr Williams said previous review reports contained incorrect information.

He defended the latest review process saying a new Massey proposal had offered a way to have a 50-metre pool for the same price as a 25-metre one.

- © Fairfax NZ News