Originating during Clutha District Council planning in 2018, the $14million proposal to build a combined pool and library service centre on the site of Milton’s present library between Union and Ajax Sts has grown to an estimated $19.4m, leading to further consultation on continuing the development or stopping to review all options from scratch.
At a town meeting last month, council chief executive Steve Hill pointed out Milton’s existing pool and library needed major repairs, meaning money would still be spent, and council’s consultation document showed refurbishment costs could compare to the new build while delivering an inferior end product.
Bruce Community Facilities fundraising committee (BCF) chairman Stephen Woodhead reinforced the point.
"It’s deteriorated into an unattractive facility no-one wants to use that’s closed half the year and local swim numbers are now a fraction of the national average . . .. In our view, the existing facilities will never be fit for purpose for our children and grandchildren [who] need to learn to swim."
He said the existing pool was given a 50-year lifespan when it opened in 1966, and modern contractors would not guarantee repair work because the ground was too unstable.
Milton Library was built in 1944 and does not meet modern earthquake and user-numbers standards.
The council estimates the new complex would mean an extra $81 a year for all Clutha District ratepayers, and $301 a year for Bruce Ward residents.
"Everyone wants Milton to have a new pool and library, we’re just saying the time isn’t now," group moderator Phil Barrett said.
"We’ve got a cost-of-living crisis with record rates hikes, inflation and families depending on food-banks . . . [do] the people pushing for the new build have any idea what it’s like to live on $500 a week?"
Milton resident David Scurr had a similar opinion.
"What happened to fiscal responsibility? If average Joe wanted a loan for a swimming pool when he was struggling to pay the water bill you wouldn’t stand a chance," he said.
"A new pool won’t be much consolation to people living in cars . . . We all want new facilities but sometimes you just have to suck it up and wait a bit longer until the economy is sorted and people are in better shape to manage debt."
BCF member Kim Schiller acknowledged there were financial concerns.
"Costs won’t go away if we stop the project and delay isn’t going to make it any cheaper," she said.
"In the meantime, you still need to transport 450 school children to pools in neighbouring towns.
"There are always going to be people who are struggling and it will be our job as a community to wrap around and support them.
"Milton has two new subdivisions, we’re growing . . . this is an investment in our future. Our opportunity to make Milton an attractive town for people to live and work in is now."
By Monday, 242 submissions have been received in a month-long window for public feedback which council has declined to extend beyond October 23.
Clutha Concerned Citizens has organised a public meeting at Balclutha Town and Country Club at 7pm today.
Hearings are scheduled for November 7 and the council will make a final decision on December 5.
