The combined projected cost for the Memorial Park Aquatic Centre and a “national-scale courts and events hub” at Baypark could decrease from $190 million to $158 million. This potential reduction follows a doubling of funding from partners and development contributions, which now total $67 million.
While councillors have agreed to move forward with these projects, they have raised significant concerns regarding the accuracy of cost estimates and gaps in financial data. Officials are calling for closer scrutiny before final budgets are signed off.
Memorial Park Aquatic Centre Scaling
The proposed aquatic centre at Memorial Park represents the largest project under consideration. While the original proposal was priced at $124 million—including a splash pad, hydro slides, a toddler pool, and expanded lanes—councillors moved in 2024 to explore scaled-back options ranging from $80 million to $105 million.
Current agenda estimates place the cost at $81 million over four years. This revised concept prioritizes core services such as aquatic sports, lane swimming, hydrotherapy, recreational use, and learn-to-swim programmes.
Deputy Mayor and Mount Maunganui ward councillor Jen Scoular expressed concerns over the demolition of the existing Memorial Park pool, which closed permanently at Easter. Scoular noted that the pools serve as a living memorial to soldiers from World War II and suggested the new development should recognize veterans of all New Zealand conflicts.
Councillors have allocated $4 million for the decommissioning of the old pool and the consenting and detailed design of the new facility. This approval is subject to the design including a connection to the living memorial for all veterans.
Baypark Sports Hub and Budget Disputes
Plans are progressing to expand the Baypark arena into a larger sports hub, which includes relocating Tauranga Netball from Blake Park to a new multisport centre. This project also involves upgrades to infrastructure, parking, and site access.
The netball facility is now estimated to cost $15.56 million, an increase from the $15.35 million estimate in July, with an additional $3.8 million set aside for contingency, and risk. The TECT Community Fund has agreed to contribute $2 million.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale expressed frustration over a proposed $350,000 toilet block containing two regular and two accessibility toilets. “Pay me $350,000 and I’ll build you four toilets, and I’ll have a exceptionally nice profit on the back of it as well,” Drysdale stated, adding that such costs lead to a “massive loss of trust” in the wider project budget.
Badminton Funding and Strategic Balance
The council also debated the $16 million Badminton Multisport Centre at Tatua Reserve. Despite calls to increase funding to accelerate construction, the council maintained its previously committed $5 million contribution.
A proposal to increase that funding to $6 million failed after a tied vote. Staff warned that without additional funds, the project could be delayed for years or may not proceed at all.
Matua-Ōtūmoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther emphasized the difficulty of balancing investments across different sports to avoid inequity between swimmers, netballers, and badminton players. Pāpāmoa ward councillor Steve Morris added that the council is under “an incredible amount of pressure budget-wise.”
Future Outlook
The council is expected to revisit design, costs, and long-term funding implications in September during wider long-term plan discussions. Staff have warned that while some costs could be refined, significant savings may require changes to the scope of the projects.
Updated budgets and more detailed financial modelling may be required before councillors commit to final figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much could the combined cost of the Baypark hub and Aquatic Centre drop?
The combined cost could drop from $190 million to $158 million, aided by $67 million in funding from development contributions and partners.
What is the current estimated cost for the revised Memorial Park Aquatic Centre?
The current estimate is $81 million over four years, focusing on core services rather than the original $124 million proposal.
Why was the funding increase for the Badminton Multisport Centre rejected?
The proposal to increase funding from $5 million to $6 million failed following a tied vote, with Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular noting that more funding could not be committed without understanding the financial impact.
Do you believe the council should prioritize core services over luxury amenities when scaling back major community projects?