Covid-19 may have slowed things a little, but for several Northern Southland pools, there’s been a lot of activity and a time of revamp over the last couple of years and they are set to open with a clean new look.

The Northern Southland Community Pool (NSCP) based in Lumsden, reclad and reroofed the pool complex during the 2021 off season and in 2022 a complete repaint has happened.

Roofcraft Industries managed to come in while NZ was still at level 3 of the traffic light system and get started on the recladding project with it finishing only days before they were due to open in October 2021.

With the outside of the pool looking fantastic, it was time to reseal and repaint, a job which was well overdue. Allan and the team from Gunac Tyries were called in to do the job and have managed to give the pool a new lease of life. 

Mossburn Community Pool was relined during the 2020 off season and put down a new non-slip surface around the pool.

They have purchased a new pool cover which helps keep the heat in at night and the closing in an outdoor BBQ area has meant that they are finally able to open the doors and enjoy the social aspect you get in summer around the pool.

Lisa Powell, the Treasurer from Mossburn Pool, is hoping that people will come and make use of this lovely new addition to the pool.

Riversdale Pool has always relied on solar power to heat their water but this meant they were never able to enjoy temperatures of more than 24 degrees.

The installation of heat pumps has been the major project for the Riversdale pool trust but they are already reaping the benefits of more people wanting keys as now the pool consistently sits on a very pleasant 29 degrees.

Dipton Pool has had a huge facelift in the past few years.

Last year the pool was repainted with Gunac Tyries also completing this pool in a timely and professional fashion.

The spectator seats and walls were painted using local volunteers, and the pool has also purchased a new cover for heat retention.

Angela English (trustee) was extremely enthusiastic about Dipton Pool and small community pools in general.

“We are so lucky that people had the foresight to create these pools on school grounds. They are an amazing asset and we have to ensure that we look after what we have as there is no way they would ever be created again.”

The Balfour Pool has also recently had a bit of a facelift with some internal painting.

The usual comment was made that the work wouldn’t be possible without the support from grants and local volunteers.

It’s a theme that runs so strongly when talking to community pools - such a huge amount of effort is put in from members of the community to make sure that these pools keep going.

Principal, Louise Stevenson, commented “Our tamariki spend a lot of their summers in and around water and teaching water safety and swimming is essential for the protection and wellbeing of our ākonga (students).” 

All pools are used extensively by their local schools and the lack of having to travel has been something that all the representatives spoken to mentioned.

Because the pools are on school land, it is easy for the schools to be able to get to the pool during class time so the children benefit from time in the water.

With the cost of fuel having skyrocketed in the last couple of years, any locally run activities for children are jumped on with great enthusiasm.

NSCP has families who visit the pool several times in a day during the summer holidays.

All the pools are able to offer swimming lessons for children.

Some have brought in outside providers like Johnston Waters and JC Swimmers to run lessons, where Northern Southland Community Pool uses Northern Southland Amateur Swimming Club, a thriving swimming club who have put college students through the Austswim program to coach classes.

They have done this for the past few years and are really proud to have put through 10 students (plus several adults).

As well as the amazing skills gained for the instructors, it also helps these students by providing them with a decent amount of level 3 credits - very welcome over the last couple of years due to the disruption of Covid-19 on students’ education. 

Several of the pools are also able to offer Aquarobics classes with that bonus factor of not having to travel being an added reason for attending classes.

All the pools are run with a huge amount of volunteer input from sorting covers and water testing every day, to cleaning of changing rooms and sorting fundraisers.

Every pool trust is so grateful that they have people passionate about keeping their community pool functioning.

None of these projects could happen without the support of funders: Community Trust of Southland, Lotteries, Meridian White Hill, Northern Southland Transport, Rural Women New Zealand, Southland District Council, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, Southern Community Trust, Grasslands Community Trust, as well as the local clubs and individuals like Lions, Riversdale Bowls, local businesses, farming families with cattle/lamb schemes and local fundraising events.

Being added to the council rating system has been a welcome addition to the operating budget of Mossburn and NSCP which should see them thriving well into the future, and other pools are also consulting with their local community boards to see if they can do the same.

With the pools all officially open by the end of October, the summer is set to be one full on time in the water.

Northern Southland Community Pool (Lumsden)

• Length: 25m
• Temp (C): 28
• Open: 7am - 9pm weekdays & 8am - 9pm weekends and public holidays. Some sessions booked out for schools, swim club and aerobics
• Key: Keys from Lumsden Four Square. Day keys available

Mossburn Pool

• Length: 20m
• Temp (C): 28
• Open: 6am - 10pm every day. Some sessions booked out for school.
• Key: Keys from Bracken Hall or Mossburn, casual swim also available

Riversdale Pool

• Length: 22m
• Temp (C): 29
• Open: Lane swimming daily 6am-9am /8pm-9pm. School term week days 3-8pm. Weekends and holidays 9am-8pm
• Key: Pool keys available at Challenge service station Riversdale. Additional charge for non-key holders

Dipton Pool

• Length: 20m
• Temp (C): 28
• Open: Season, Oct - April. Open daylight hours, except during School hours.
• Key: Pool key available from Dipton School Office

Balfour Pool (not yet open)