Thames Aquatic Facilities Project

Centennial Pool is sited on a urupā (burial site), with Council having committed to return the sacred site to Ngāti Maru by the end of 2027.

Also, the facility is 50 years old and is reaching the end of its useful life, with its design not fit-for-purpose to meet current and future community needs. In addition, Waikato Regional Aquatic Plan 2017 has identified an under-supply of all-year aquatic provision and lack of warm water in Thames-Coromandel.

A feasibility study into options for sites for Thames' future aquatic provision has been completed with four options identified (see below). Take a look our Thames Aquatic Provision Summary of Options document.

Work on a business case is now underway to produce detailed costings, identify any cost savings to address affordability, and look at options for funding. This is expected to be concluded in early 2025. The business case will also look at the potential implications such as the social and health impact to the town if there was a decision not to proceed with the replacement aquatic project because of funding issues.

OPTION A: local all-indoor pools, Thames High School 

Estimated build cost: up to $42.5 million
Operating costs: range from $967k in year 1 to $1.14m in year 10
Cost escalation of around 13 per cent ($4.8m -$5.5m) is anticipated through to the end of 2027.

Thames High School was identified as the best potential site for a local Thames-focused facility, due to the school’s central location, easy accessibility, high visibility, good transport connections and relatively good ground conditions. It was identified as the lowest capital cost option among other potential sites for a local facility. 

The optimal facility would potentially include:

• a 7-lane 25-metre lap pool, 1.4m to 2m deep, for lap swimming, aqua-jogging/walking, swim training, school/local swim competitions and other activities such as scuba-diving and canoe-polo
• a heated programme pool, 1.3m deep, for hydrotherapy, aqua-walking, and learn to swim for older children
• a heated learn-to-swim pool, 0.9m deep, for learn-to-swim for younger children
• a heated toddlers pool and splash pad for toddlers, children and families
• a small spa pool. 

However, elements of those specifications would be subject to affordability and will be addressed by a business case which is taking place in the first half of 2024.

OPTION B: local mix of indoor and outdoor pools, Thames High School

Estimated build cost: around $36.5m  
Operating costs: range from $1m in year 1 to $1.21m in year 10
Cost escalations to 2027 between $4.2 -$4.7m

This option is essentially the same as the indoor, except the main 25-metre pool would be outdoor. This would mean a potential cost saving of $5-6 million.

The business case will also review these specifications in order to consider what is affordable.

OPTION C: Sub-regional option, mix of indoor pools, Kōpū South 

Estimated build cost: around $77m
Operating costs: range from $1.35m in year 1 to $1.53m in year 10
Cost escalations to 2027 of 13 per cent. 

This would potentially be a larger facility with more amenities for year-round activities, serving a wider population including people in Hauraki District. As well as year-round indoor pools, it would provide enhanced opportunities for swimming competitions, greater aquatic leisure with potentially a hydroslide and dedicated hydrotherapy.

It would potentially include:

• an 8-lane 25-metre pool, 2m deep, for lap swimming, aqua-jogging/walking, aquatic, sports training, district-level competitions, scuba-diving, water polo and canoe-polo
• terraced seating with capacity up to 165 people to facilitate moderate-sized swimming competitions
• a heated programme pool, 1.4 – 1.6m deep for hydrotherapy, gentle exercise, aqua-walking
• a heated learn to swim pool, 0.8m – 1m deep, for young children learn to swim
• a heated leisure pool, toddlers pool and splash pad and leisure for all age-groups
• a 15-20m² spa pool 
• a potential hydroslide option
• a dry fitness centre
• café. 

Affordability of this option will also be addressed by the business case.

OPTION D: No investment in aquatic provision

Estimated cost: up to $550,000 to remove the pool from Taipari park

This would mean that we do not invest in a new swimming pool, but Centennial Pool would still be removed in 2027.

Next steps

A survey on the four options went to the public in April and May 2024 in order to inform decision making. Find out more. 

The results of this community feedback will be included in a business case that is now being prepared on options, including a risk assessment and detailed financial analysis as well as modelling as to how the facilities could be funded. This is expected to be concluded in early 2025.