School Pools - Management Concerns

Swimming Pool Annual Budget
Outsourcing Pool Maintenance
Decommissioning a Pool

Swimming Pool Annual Budget

Pool maintenance is required on an annual basis and should be budgeted for each year. Putting off maintenance and repairs of the swimming pool or plant will only lead to higher costs in the long term. If maintenance work is required, especially if it relates to health and safety issues, work needs to be undertaken as soon as possible – even as an interim measure until new budgets are approved. If pool management or swim teaching services are outsourced, these too must be included within the annual budgeting process. Operating expenses, insurance, staff training and equipment replacement should also be incorporated into the annual budget.

Long-term budgeting for development, construction, and maintenance will need to comply with the Ministry of Education’s requirements if the Board of Trustees are expecting funding from this source. External sources of funding, such as community and gaming trusts, will have specific requirements for their distribution of funding for capital development. In 2003, Swimming New Zealand published their National Swimming Facility Strategy, which recommends a five key issues, which should be taken into consideration during the development of new swimming facilities.

Summary of Funding Responsibilities

Outsourcing Pool Maintenance

For many Boards of Trustees the idea of training staff in pool management may not be an option. In such instances, Water Safety New Zealand and the New Zealand Recreation Association recommend Boards of Trustees make contact with their local public swimming pool to determine whether these services can be managed externally.

For local public swimming pools, providing a pool maintenance service for school pools can be seen as desirable given the increased public awareness of health issues often attributed to swimming pools. Using external professional services will enable a Board of Trustees to remain current with industry trends and standards, and may provide wider opportunities for school aquatic programmes.

Decommissioning a Pool

l Some schools are choosing to close their swimming pools due to a number of reasons, not least the cost of ongoing maintenance. If the Board of Trustees elects to close the school swimming pool, the health and safety issues must still be considered. A derelict pool is a greater hazard to school children and the public than a well used and managed pool.

Leaving an unused pool fully or partially filled with water means the pool fencing must still comply with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987. Using the pool as a repository for unwanted school equipment is inexcusable and an accident waiting to happen. If the pool is to remain permanently unused, decommissioning the pool, plant and machinery should be undertaken by professionals to ensure the area is safe and secure, and does not pose a potential hazard.

If your pool is removed, the Ministry of Education under the capital works programme can consider filling in the hole and landscaping the area. Boards of Trustees can apply for assistance with funding to have this work done, under the FAS.