New Te Hiku Sports Hub opening delayed
The opening of Kaitāia’s new Te Hiku Sports Hub and pools facility is being pushed out to next year.
The opening of Kaitāia’s new Te Hiku Sports Hub and pools facility is being pushed out to next year.
The news will be disappointing for residents keen to cool off over the summer with no public swimming pools now serving the town.
It was hoped the new eight-lane swimming pool, kids splash area, hydrotherapy pool, and learn-to swim pool would be ready in time for summer, but delays in obtaining some of the pools reticulation pumps and systems mean the opening is now expected in March 2024.
Unfortunately, the old Kaitāia Memorial swimming pool cannot reopen to fill the gap. The 70-year-old facility was closed permanently last April, and it is estimated that bringing the pool back up to standard and reopening it for one last summer would cost ratepayers well over $100,000.
There are three other public swimming pools in the Far North that are open on public holidays except for Christmas Day. Kaikohe pool is within the Northland College grounds. It is a 33.3m summer pool with six lanes and is open during the Christmas holidays, Monday to Friday from 6am–6.30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am–6:30pm.
Kerikeri swimming pool is at Kerikeri High School off Hone Heke Road. It is a 25m pool with six lanes, as well as a dive pool and a toddler’s pool. Christmas holiday pool hours are Monday to Friday from 6am–6.30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am–6:30pm.
Kawakawa swimming pool is owned and operated by Sport Northland. It is a 25m indoor heated pool with six lanes. It is part of the Bay of Islands Recreation Centre located within the Bay of Islands College grounds. This pool is open all year round.
Opening hours and other information on Far North pools can be found on the council’s website here.
For up-to-date information about the hours and events at these pools, visit the Far North Pools Facebook page.
Queries about pool management should be directed to CBEC on 09 408 1092.
Image below: Update of the Te Hiku Sports Hub main pool.
Image below: Main pool plant and pipework layout
