Milton $13-14 million community library and pool facility approved

A $13-14 million community facility featuring a community library and six lane swimming pool in Milton was approved by Clutha District Council today.

Clutha District Council Chief Executive Steve Hill said, “The new multi-purpose facility will aim to offer a range of services all year-round including swimming lessons, competitions and aquatic play, digital help, library programmes, celebrating local history and access to information.”

Council approved that the facility will be funded by CDC rates, central government funding (subject to confirmation of the 3 Waters Better Off funding support package), as well as community fundraising and grants from various sectors, both of which will be facilitated by the Bruce Community Facilities Trust.

Bruce Community Facilities Committee Chairperson Stephen Woodhead said, “The Committee are very pleased Council has approved the project. After several years of work, we have a confirmed project for the whole community to get behind and that is very exciting! It will be a fabulous facility, a game changing development for the town’s main street and for the wider ‘district. The community can now focus on the significant challenge to raise $2 million to contribute to the funding of the swimming pool.

Council consulted with the public on options for a six or eight lane swimming pool and asked whether people had feedback on other options.

Consultation also covered the increased costs associated with this project, as COVID related supply challenges and cost increases in the building industry resulted in increases from initial estimates.

“Today’s Council decision marks and important step forward for the district and Council looks forward to working alongside the Bruce Community Facilities Committee to progress this facility,” Mr Hill said.

There were 124 written submissions, with 92% of these from the Bruce (wider Milton) area.

50 (42%) supported Option 1 - $13-14M facility with 6 lanes

40 (34%) supported Option 2 - $18-20M facility with 8 lanes

29 (24%) supported another option

A new pool was approved in 2019 as part of the Annual Plan process, to replace the current Milton Pool and the Milton Service Centre and Library, both of which need significant repairs.

Following this, the Bruce Community Facilities Trust and Committee was formed and has worked with Council to drive this project forward.

Council funding of the facility will be included in the 2023/24 Annual Plan budget.

Timeline

2018 – Community feedback during the Our Place Milton Community Plan helped to prioritise investment in the Milton Pool led by council with significant community input and to seismically strengthen the existing Milton Service Centre OR to create a new service centre/library.

2019 – After careful investigation and consultation as part of the 2019/20 Annual Plan, Council identified that a new combined pool and service centre facility was the best long-term option.

2019 – The Bruce Community Facilities Trust was formed to work with Council and Calder Stewart to drive this project forward.

2020-21 – The Trust led community consultation and focused on engaging with the community on their vision for the facility. The Trust has also been coordinating and undertaking community fundraising efforts for the facility.

2020-21 - Further information and work was completed for the community library component of the facility, with a spatial plan and designs created.

2022 – Further consultation was undertaken, with two main options, including updated pricing. One option was a facility which included a 6 lane pool, the other was a larger facility with an 8 lane pool.