Tender process to continue for pool land

A Christchurch community's bid to buy land for a new swimming pool could be sunk, a community board member fears.

Shirley-Papanui Community Board member Aaron Keown wanted the board to ask the Christchurch City Council to withdraw the former Edgeware Pool site from a tender process.

However, his motion was not supported at a recent board meeting.

The council received three tenders for the Edgeware land, including one from two community swimming groups that have financial support from businessman Martin Coffey.

Coffey had said he would contribute $2.5 million to the pool project.

Keown said he suspected land developers were behind two tenders.

He wanted the community pool proposal explored, but was worried that option could be lost.

He wanted to halt the tender process to give the community pool groups "the best possible chance of success before the land is disposed of by the council forever".

Council community services general manager Michael Aitken said the three tenders would be discussed in private at the March 25 council meeting.

- © Fairfax NZ News