Free swims an election sweetener

BY SIMON EDWARDS

Mayor David Ogden says he wants visits to the city's swimming pools to be free for Lower Hutt's SuperGold Card holders.

While the timing of his announcement clearly relates to the looming election, Mr Ogden says he has been thinking about the idea for some time "and thought it important enough to make a campaign promise".

If he can persuade a majority of councillors, he'd like to see it in place by December 1.

The attitude of his sole challenger for the mayoralty, Ray Wallace, is "why wait?".

"It's a very good idea. I'm not going to argue with it; I'm happy to second it."

Mr Wallace suggests a review of swimming pool fees might also take a look at the cost of pool entry for large families. He's confident that if it costs less, more people would use pools and get involved in a good, healthy activity.

"I think we'd see a lot more young people in pools. Stokes Valley is certainly not operating to its maximum."

It costs an adult $4.50 for a swim at our main three pools. Children and over 60s pay $3. Concession cards make it cheaper for regular swimmers.

Mr Ogden says he's convinced the entry charges have been a significant deterrent to increased usage of the city's pools by retired residents.

"In these tough economic times, I feel we must do what we can to improve affordability.

"Thanks to our solid financial record, we are now in a position to be able to look at exactly these sort of policies to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles."

Hutt City Council collects about $2 million each year in pool charges. About $60,000 of this comes from those aged 65 years and over.

However, operation of the city's six pools still requires a rates subsidy of $4.3 million a year.

Mr Ogden says free entry for seniors could be "managed within the context of council's overall spending and income" without altering parameters for low debt and rates.

"We have invested over $100 million in infrastructure over the last few years. I think it is now time to invest in people."

What pools cost

The net direct cost per resident of public swimming pools and leisure centres in Lower Hutt compares well with costs in other cities and districts, a 2008/09 "yardstick" benchmarking exercise shows.

The per-resident cost for Hutt, at $12.29, was in the bottom half of a table comparing 23 other cities and districts in New Zealand and Australia.

Most expensive was Gore, at $79.80.

Upper Hutt was fourth-most expensive on $35.25 with Horowhenua on $23.31, Kapiti $19.61 and Christchurch $14.63. The cost per-resident of pools in Taupo District was $8.42, and in Waitakere only $2.31.

Wellington and Porirua weren't included in the survey.

On another measure, of net cost per admittance, Naenae and Eastbourne outdoor pools, at $1.57 and $2.30, were particularly cost-effective. Our most expensive, Stokes Valley on $5.24m, was still below H20 Xtreme in Upper Hutt ($6.89) and well below the $20-plus of some others.

- Hutt News