As I suspected, the Kiwa Pools complex has already become an albatross around local ratepayers’ necks.

The Gisborne Herald reveals the pools cannot pay their way and money must be found to cover the shortfall.

This comes just after the one-year anniversary of its opening, and council trumpeting the pools’ “success”. From the council handout:

“Kiwa Pools has made a big splash in its first year of business. With more than 205,395 admissions since opening ... Kiwa Pools aquatic manager Campbell Macgregor says it’s been a huge success for the community.”

Interesting how a loss is seen as a “success”.

Now council is considering raising the admission price after revealing a shortfall in revenue of almost $2 per admission - despite the number of people using the pools surpassing projections.

With council’s estimations being so far out, the shortfall must be at least $350,000 (going by council’s own figures).

Now council wants the public to come to the party on what to do about funding.

I have always firmly believed in the “user pays” principle - and that if you can’t afford to pay, you don’t use. (Put the choccy bickies back on the shelf, they’re not on the list!)

Which begs the question as to why the funding aspect was not clearly quantified from the outset.

Councillor Wharehinga’s remarks about being on the verge of “losing the last pool” and that the Government allocation “saved them” is revealing.

Perhaps council should not be in the business of running swimming pools - the Enterprise Pool seems able to survive.

Hard-hearted as it sounds, I don’t believe I or any other ratepayer should have my pocket raided to pay for those who want to learn to swim, or just enjoy a daily dip.

I am unswayed by the bleatings about families and children - a short time ago schools had pools and we took kids to the beach.

As for council, this is yet another example of it being way past learning to “swim” - certainly regarding management and expenditure.

Roger Handford