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Laster said it’s unclear what will happen to the site if the lease expires in November.
Mark Knoff-Thomas, CEO of the Newmarket Business Association, told The Herald He was optimistic Auckland Council and the local committee would “do the right thing” and offer the pool management company a new, extended lease.
“The Olympic Pool is a very important part of the Newmarket community and plays a key role in attracting people,” Knopf-Thomas said.
“The gym, swimming pool and other facilities are vital to our community and we believe they have been running successfully for many years and should continue to do so.
“I think it would be a blow to Aucklanders overall (if it closes).
Up to 7000 people visit the Olympic swimming pool each week. It was New Zealand’s first 50-metre swimming pool and was originally built as an open-air facility.
“The Olympic Pool costs no council money to run. It costs Auckland taxpayers nothing. It’s one of the best run facilities of its kind in the country – so they should be rewarded and given the long-term lease they need to be able to invest in it properly,” Knopf-Thomas said.
Last said once the lease is secured, especially for a relatively long term, it will give Olympic Pool and Fitness Centre Ltd. the confidence to invest another million or so dollars in planned improvements and renovations.
He said the company had been trying for the past five years to negotiate a long-term lease to be able to invest in capital works, “but no decision had been made for years”.
The Waitemata Local Board is awaiting advice from Auckland Council before making a decision on the lease.
Rust is frustrated and anxious because he says there has been little communication between the board, council and the company.
“It seems like there’s been some pushback on making a decision,” Last said. “There are several board members who would like to see this resolved.”
“But obviously there are big differences between the two sides and there are differences in thinking, so now you need to work hard to convince some people that this is a viable approach. But they seem very reluctant to make any collective decisions.”
Auckland Council director Rachel Kelleher said council staff were “currently developing recommendations for Waitematā Local Board. This includes clarity on local board options, as well as financial considerations, alignment with regional water objectives and leasing policy”.
Raphael Franks is a reporter based in Oakland covering breaking news. He joined The Herald Become a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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