The man in charge of Timaru's new $23.5m aquatic centre received no additional payout from the district council when he resigned less than a month after the complex opened.

Recreational facilities manager Gary Easthope, who was appointed to the position in February last year, resigned on August 23 and left last week.

Responding to an official information request from The Herald, Timaru District Council chief executive Peter Nixon said Mr Easthope had resigned, and at the end of his employment he was paid outstanding annual leave and time in lieu that was owing, along with any notice he was entitled to under the terms of his agreement.

External consultants had assisted with the selection of Mr Easthope for the position.

While the council would go through the same recruitment process to find his replacement, the selection would be carried out in house this time, Mr Nixon said.

Mr Easthope came to Timaru from Central Otago where he had managed the Central Otago District Council's aquatic centres. He had 20 years' experience in sport, tourism and recreation sectors in Britain, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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