Thrifty tycoon offers to gift pool

The Christchurch benefactor prepared to put millions into a new St Albans community pool is a frugal, 86-year-old Act Party supporter and property millionaire.

Martin Coffey, known for his humble appearance and thrifty lifestyle, confirmed yesterday he would fund a new pool if certain conditions were met. He has already put about $100,000 into the pool building programme.

It must be the season for philanthropy, as the generous offer from Coffey comes in the same month as a $10 million bequest to the Canterbury Museum by Blenheim's Arthur Harrison, 92, who died last year, and a $1.8m gift to the Christchurch Art Gallery from arts supporter Norman Barrett, who died on January 6, aged 87.

Coffey said he was appalled when the Christchurch City Council closed the pool, off Edgeware Road, in 2006 and disliked the emphasis on large centralised pool complexes that were designed to train Olympic swimmers, not ordinary kids.

"What does the council know about swimming pools? What a bloody mess they have made of it. Every community should have a pool that people can walk to," Coffey said.

The veteran businessman, who still works six days a week, said he had happy memories of swimming in the St Albans pool as a boy and wanted to put something back into the community.

"I used to swim there as a boy. In the summer I would be there every day of the week and three times on Sundays, when I would climb over the fence. Nobody minded. In my day, everywhere you lived there was a swimming pool.

"I worry about the people who can't afford to take the bus to QEII or Jellie Park. We've got to get the kids off the streets and into the swimming pool. What's a kid whose mother can't afford the bus fare going to do? He's going to go out on the street."

Coffey said children should not be charged to have a swim.

"I don't believe one ratepayer in Christchurch wants to see children charged for a swim – not while councillors are having $20 bottles of wine with their lunches and going overseas on sister-city jaunts."

The council is in the process of selling the old pool site and two St Albans swimming groups – St Albans Pavilion and Pool Group and the St Albans Amateur Swimming and Lifesaving Club – last week filed a joint tender for the 2000sqm lot.

The groups' Peter Beaven design includes a 25-metre outdoor pool and smaller children's pool estimated to cost about $2.5m. Coffey will only contribute the money if the groups' tender succeeds.

The council will make a decision about the sale on February 25.

Coffey said he was not keen on publicity but would not mind if the pool was named after him.

"I might even go for a swim."

The budding philanthropist drives a $2000 car and lives in a modest Christchurch house.

"I never go shopping. I'm always busy working."

Coffey and his wife don't travel, nor do they eat out.

"We're just ordinary people. We don't want to be well known."

Coffey said he had always spent his money on improving property.

"I like what I'm doing."

Coffey said he had lost millions in the early '90s but had clawed his way up again.

"In a way, it was good to lose so much money. I would be embarrassed to be one of the richest people in Christchurch. If we hadn't lost that money, we would be in that league now."

Coffey was born in Ashburton and served in the army in World War II, being stationed in Egypt, Italy and Japan.

He once owned the Caledonian Hotel and branched out into property investment, mainly in the city area.

- © Fairfax NZ News