Submission+Time+for+the+Hamilton+City+Council+10+Year+Plan-2015-2025

Dear Supporter,
 * Submission Time for the Hamilton City Council 10 Year Plan-2015-2025 **

Sink or Swim strongly encourages you to support the saving of the Municipal Pools, by having your say on the Hamilton City Council’s 10 Year Plan described below, now open for public consultation. We'd love to encourage you to have your say about Council’s options set out in the plan to permanently close the Municipal Pools. This is a friendly reminder to you that submissions on the Hamilton City Council’s 10 Year Plan have begun on 13 April and close 15 May at 4pm.

Your submissions to the draft 10 Year Plan of the Hamilton City Council may help ensure the Council choose an option to rebuild the pools rather than choosing to build a new pool in 2022 in some other location in Hamilton.

If you’re a seasoned submitter you’ll know what to do. If you’ve never submitted before, now is your chance to support the saving and rebuilding of the Municipal Pools and express to Council what it means to you and the level of support you want the Council to give the pools.

We offer the following information to help you submit so that you can have your views known. The Council has decided that it will permanently close the pool and spend the money set aside in the plan to build another pool elsewhere in the city unless they are persuaded that this is NOT the best option. Your submission may help them reconsider that decision. Without vocal support for the pools in this process the community risks losing the pools forever. Please encourage anyone you know who wants to save the pools to make a submission. This is vital.

We offer the following information to help you make your submission and to give you opportunity to go to the three public “Come and Talk to Us” meetings that the Council will hold instead of hearings. Please note that there will be NO formal hearing of submissions as in the past.

Thanks for your assistance.

Hamilton City Council 10 Year Plan.

Closes 4:00pm, Friday 15 May 2015.

“A long term plan is a strategic planning document describing the activities a council intends to fund to achieve desired outcomes over a 10 year period. Under the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA), a long term plan must be prepared and adopted every three years.”

The consultation document, which describes the proposals of this plan for the period 2015 - 2025, replaces the full plan and summary document, produced in previous years.

You can download the consultation document, a submission form and other documents by visiting

 []

You can also get a copy of the consultation summary from Hamilton City Council by asking at Reception.

What it says about the Municipal Pools.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">On page 32 of the consultation document, Council includes the following text on permanently closing the Municipal Pools.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“PERMANENTLY CLOSING THE MUNICIPAL POOLS- We need your feedback on this proposal

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As part of considering what to do about swimming pools, the Council also looked at refurbishing the Municipal Pool. The pool has been closed since mid-2012 because of mechanical and structural issues which require major repairs. Since the closure, the Council has been in discussions with stakeholders to see if the pool can be repaired and at what cost. We were also awaiting the outcome of the Waikato Regional Sports Facilities Plan. A summary of this plan is available on our website hamilton.govt.nz/10yearplan Options were presented to the Council by the community group Sink or Swim and Council staff, to bring the pool up to a standard necessary to operate safely and efficiently. The Council considered the following:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Options

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">a) Refurbish as an open air pool - $6.8M. A three-staged proposal to renovate and rebuild the Municipal Pool to be implemented over a period of time, which would allow the community group to secure funding from private and philanthropic funders to support the pool refurbishment. Stages one and two ($5.5M) would see demolition and rebuilding of a number of parts of the facility which are beyond repair, including the main pool, and the development of new changing rooms, office space and green space. It would also include a new 25m pool suitable for junior swimming education, plus a café or restaurant and grandstand upgrade. Stage three ($1.3M) would include construction of new boutique office space next to the pools and the Celebrating Age Centre. If the Council was to fund stages one and two ($5.5M) this would be done instead of an additional 25m pool ($4.8M) elsewhere in the city and our debt balance would increase by an extra $928,000 by 2025.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">b) Rebuild as an indoor heated pool - $8.8M As an alternative to the open air refurbishment proposal, Council staff requested a cost estimate from Opus International Consultants to refurbish and enclosure the Municipal Pool that would allow for all year swimming and activities within the pool. If the Council was to fund this option ($8.8M) this would be done instead of an additional 25m pool ($4.8M) elsewhere in the city and our debt balance would increase by an extra $5.6M by 2025.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">c) Permanently close the Municipal Pool

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Our proposal

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Council has now decided not to invest in the Municipal Pool and is proposing to close it permanently because:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• It would cost at least $5.5M to repair the pool and upgrade the site.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• Even if repaired, an open air pool would not address the shortfall in indoor pool space over winter.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• The Waikato Regional Sports Facilities Plan recommends closure of the Municipal Pool, saying the funds would be better invested in an indoor community pool elsewhere in the city. Removing the pool and reinstating the site for other use would cost $670,000. The Council wants to consider the future of the site as part of the River Plan, so has decided not to remove the pool structure yet. Our proposed budget includes $10,000 per year to keep the site secure.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you would like to read more about the options considered by the Council, the reports are available on our website at [|www.hamilton.govt.nz/10yearplan] .”

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There are several council reports on the Municipal Pools and other swimming facilities here: []

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">SINK OR SWIM’s VIEW

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sink or Swim believes that the best option is in fact to spend the $5.5m on the first two stages of rebuilding the pools where they exist. We do not want another indoor pool at a cost of $8.8m. This would be money best spent rather than spending the proposed $4.8m (plus the cost of demolition of the pools $680,000 making a total of $5.47m) to build another 25 metre pool elsewhere in the city in 2022. By rebuilding the Municipal Pools at site will provide the following benefits to the city:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sink or Swim also would advocate that payment should be deployed or sourced from the following other proposed infrastructure projects outlined in the plan and should include a targeted rate.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lane space for a heated outdoor pool and all the mental and physical health benefits that come from outdoor pools
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Retaining the city’s heritage
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Providing a pool in a location that ticks the boxes for supporting the community, the CBD, the nearby schools
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Will enhance the River Plan vision
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">On a cost comparison basis is a better option that spending elsewhere in 7 or 8 years time and the additional debt burden is relatively little.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">MAKE A SUBMISSION
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">$2.34m for developing new specialty gardens in 2015-2018
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">New aquatic centre in Rototuna $15.15m in 2026
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">New 25 metre pool at Waterworld $4.85m in 2022
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Cost to demolish Municipal Pools $670,000.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Have your say <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You can make a submission using the online form below: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> [] <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Or, you can download a printable submission form. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> [] <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">IN PERSON - ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There will be no hearings on this plan, however the Council is offering three face to face meeting (please see details set out below). We strongly urge you to speak to your submission by going along to one of these gatherings and conveying to Council in the strongest possible terms your preference for them to retain the Municipal Pools and to rebuild them as an outdoor facility.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">These three engagement sessions give you the opportunity to talk to the Mayor and councillors and provide your feedback. These sessions replace the hearings format that have been used for previous 10-year plans.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Below is the link to register for the face to face meetings.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Please register __here__ : []

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tuesday 21 April - Chapel Hill Community Church, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wednesday 29 April - Western Community Centre, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wednesday 6 May - Purdie Hall, The Link Community Centre, 11.30am - 1.30pm

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">SOCIAL MEDIA

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Council are accepting feedback via our __Facebook__ and __Twitter__ pages. To ensure your feedback is included, please post to one of these two pages and use the hashtag #Ham10YP

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Post to Facebook.com/HamiltonCityCouncil using #Ham10YP

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tweet @CouncilHamilton using #Ham10YP

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We encourage you to visit [|www.hamilton.govt.nz/10yearplan]

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">and either fill in a submission online or download a submission form, fill it in and deliver it by the deadline.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you don’t want to use the internet to fill in your submission, it can be posted to:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Post:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Freepost 172189

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">10-Year Plan submission

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hamilton City Council

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">P O Box 3010

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hamilton 3240

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Closes 4:00pm, Friday 15 May 2015.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Some things to consider.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We can’t tell you what to write in your submissions - nor do we wish to. We are sending this letter so you can submit as you wish, if you wish.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Traditionally, plans such as these receive very few submissions, often because people do not understand, or do not readily engage with issues they cover. We believe the Municipal Pools are a true city asset for swimmers of the city that our supporters love and value. Our hope is that you think the text we’ve quoted from the plans are deserving of your attention and response.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We emphasise that consultation of this kind is a free process and anyone can submit on the plan, irrespective of where they live or their connection with the region and district they cover.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Remember, when writing your submission, that:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• It is a public document once it is submitted to Council;

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• As it is a public document, you should resist making claims which you cannot support once you’ve submitted;

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• You should resist the temptation to make statements which are inflammatory or which may be construed by others, as defamatory;

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• It may be referred to by others who may have read it;

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">• It will be posted by Council on its own sites with all other submissions.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Send us a copy, if you like.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Your submission is your way of talking to Hamilton City Council. If it includes material on the Municipal Pools, we’d love to know what you have to say.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We will not use any material sent to us for any purpose, without your express permission. We’d simply like to know what our supporters feel about the Councils’ draft decisions as they affect the pools.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you want to send us a copy of your submission, please either:

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Check out our website for a range of information that may inform your submission and help you support your suggestions to council. We will put our submission to council on the website for your referral: http://sinkorswimhamilton.wikispaces.com/
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">email to: sink.or.swim.hamilton@gmail.com
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">or share on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/SinkOrSwimHamilton

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We do hope you will take the time to submit on these plans. Remember our vision for the pools could become a reality with your voice to council.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Many thanks from

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Sink or Swim

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Email: sink.or.swim.hamilton@gmail.com

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Facebook: [|www.facebook.com/SinkOrSwimHamilton]

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Timeline: Municipal Pools Timeline

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Website: http://sinkorswimhamilton.wikispaces.com/