Neighbours opposed to site proposed for new Mosgiel pool

Mosgiel Association Football Club stalwart Pat Howell is concerned about parking pressure if the new Mosgiel swimming pool is built on the car park at Memorial Park. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

Under the plan, car parking for the popular sports ground would be moved to the western side of the field, near neighbouring homes.

The Dunedin City Council released its recommendation of the site, on the parking area and alongside the grandstand, on July 24.

Dunedin city councillors will vote on adopting a recommended site for the $15million facility tomorrow.

A Mosgiel man, who lived very close to the park and did not want to be named, said he had "lots of thoughts" on the proposal, and his wife would be attending the hearing.

However he thought it was a "waste of time" trying to speak out.

"I have found that [the DCC] have a system where they make up their minds, then they call for submissions."

Residents had got together with a local councillor and had a "chat" about the idea after reading about in The Star on July 18, he said, but there was "just not enough time" to get arguments together before the hearing.

He acknowledged the area was busy already, but said he was particularly concerned for two of his neighbours, who would lose 90% of their sunshine.

Neighbour Robert Daniels, who would be living directly beside the pool, said he was also against it, and it would take away most of his view of the park.

The car park was packed early on Saturday afternoon, as the Mosgiel football team played Nelson Suburbs, and spectators were struggling to find parking.

Mosgiel man and former senior football squad coach Andrew Brook said he thought the plan was "a little bit crazy, to be honest", considering the car park was busy with sports all year round.

"It will [affect] those homes, it will lower their retail value. It won't make them any more appealing."

Mosgiel Association Football Club president David Young said the club was happy for the grandstand car park to be turned into a pool, as long as the existing pool was turned into green space.

The junior football pitch and the Athletics Taieri long jump pit would disappear as parks moved to the western side of the pitch and he did not want Memorial Park to lose any ground.

Vice-president of the football club Neville Watson said there always was the possibility more land for Memorial Park could be acquired from the nearby Mosgiel Caravan Park, the lease of which will come up for renewal in 2023.

Design work on the pool will start soon and construction is due to begin next year.