Khandallah Pool is a much-loved outdoor community swimming facility that first opened in 1925. The site is picturesque but constrained, with limitations around carparking and access.
The pool requires significant work to bring it up to current aquatic facility standards and the buildings are earthquake-prone and require remediation by January 2030. The required building consent would necessitate mitigation of the identified natural hazards of the site, which include flood and slip risks.
Options summary
The Council has explored a range of options for the future of the pool and has engaged with Khandallah community representatives and stakeholders via a Community Reference Group.
The wider community had the opportunity to provide feedback on the future of Khandallah Pool via the Long-term Plan 2024-34 consultation process, which was open from 12 April to 12 May 2024.
Original options – February 2022
In February 2022, Council discussed seven concepts of new investment for the future of the pool. This included: replacing the building, maintaining the current level of service, development within the existing pool tank, increasing the level of service by a full rebuild, creation of a splash pad, a potential commercial partnership for hot pools, and the creation of a landscape park.
After undertaking economic and environmental feasibility assessments, more detail was provided on three options:
- Option 1: maintain the status quo with the current level of service,
- Option 2: increase the level of service, or
- Option 3: change the type of service.
In February 2022, Council resolved to ‘increase the level of service’, which meant rebuilding the full structure (option 2), subject to further detailed design and community (place and interest) engagement.
To inform detailed design the following site research was undertaken: a topographical survey, geotechnical investigation, flood hazard investigation and modelling, and infrastructure review.
These works identified several physical restrictions and risks at the site which mean that either of option 1 (maintaining the status quo with the current level of service) or option 2 (increase the level of service) would require a rebuild of the pool structure.
Updated options – February 2024
On 15 February 2024, the Council’s Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee voted to include funding for a landscape (non-pool) option in Wellington’s Draft Long-term Plan 2024-34, for community consultation.
Council officers outlined in committee papers that the combination of high construction costs, significant site constraints, a reduced pool size, and low pool usage would contribute to a low value outcome for the level of investment required for a new Khandallah Pool.
View Council report from 15 February 2024 (pages 23-25) (35.7MB PDF)
February 2024 options update:
| Landscape (decrease level of service) |
Rebuild (increase level of service) |
Status quo (maintain level of service) |
Preferred
|
Not preferred
|
Not progressed
|
Current estimate: $4.5m
Annual operating costs: $0.34m
|
Current estimate: $11.5m
Annual operating costs: $1.1m
|
Not applicable
|
Scope of works:
- Demolition and landscaping
- Improving flood mitigation
- Creating a new entranceway into Khandallah Park.
|
Scope of works:
- Mitigating identified natural hazards by raising height of concourse by 1.8m and locating pool and buildings away from stream and adjacent bank.
- Resulting decrease in size of pool to 25m x 7.5m
- Building modern changing rooms and pool plant facilities
- Rebuilding the pool including a heated section and splashpad
- Ensure facility and pool meet required accessibility standards.
|
Scope of works:
- It is not an option to maintain the current pool or do a like-for-like replacement due to the identified natural hazards.
|
The cost of $11.7m to rebuild the pool within the physical site constraints is now more expensive than when it was considered by the Council in 2022 ($8.05m). This estimated cost could result in a potential increase in ratepayer subsidy per swim from $25 per swim (in the 2022/23 year) to $60-$80 per swim.
The Council is therefore proposing to close the pool and landscape the site, including improving flood mitigation, and creating a new entranceway into Khandallah Park. This would be designed with accessibility in mind to support family and community gatherings and events. Work to date on the concept plan includes large flat grassed areas for play, picnics and events, a structure for small community events, and restoration of the stream. Current estimates to deliver this option are $4.5m. Annual operating costs are estimated at $0.34m.