At the southern end of Timaru in the South Island of New Zealand stands a swimming pool that has been commissioned to close in June 2012. Why are so many of the locals upset that the Century Pool is to close and why are we asking help from people around the world to help save it. The following are some reasons why we think the Century Pool should not be allowed to close.
Historic Value
- The Century Pool was first opened on the 3rd December 1900 by the Governor General of New Zealand the late Lord Ranfurly.
- It was named The Century Memorial Jubilee Swimming baths to comemorate the turn of the Century.
- It was Timaru’s first public swimming baths and later became Timaru’s first heated swimming baths.
- It has since been roofed and had a children’s hydro slide added and is currently now Timaru’s only all year round public swimming pool.
Sentimental Value
- After 110 years of service to the community millions of people of which many now live in all parts of the world have at some time in their life been for a swim in the Timaru Century Pool.
- These people have happy memories because swimiming is a fun sport that can be enjoyed by all ages.
- The building and upgrading of the Century Pool has been paid for by the the local Timaru people who have given of their time and money to upgrade it over the years.
- Without the Century Pool many Timaru people may never of had the opportunity to learn to swim
- We feel sure there are many people living all around the world who will feel grief the day Timaru Century Pool closes.
- If you know of someone who has over the years had some connection with the Timaru Century Pool in New Zealand then please pass the content of this website on to them.
Who Cares about the Children?
- The Century Pool is surrounded by many primary schools such as, South School, Sacred Heart School, Bluestone School, Timaru Christian School and several secondary schools. Roncarli College, Timaru Girls High School, Timaru Boys High School.
- The Century Pool is within safe walking distance of all these schools and the young school children are often seen walking hand in hand to Century Pool for swimming lessons.
- Many of the families that live in the South end of Timaru are low income families and if the Century Pool closes the parents and guardians of these children will not be able to afford to transport their children to another part of town for swimming lessons.
- As a result many children will grow up not being given the opportunity to learn to swim so they can save themselves from drowning in a crisis.
- What is most disappointing is that many of the school children and some parents have been kept in the dark and never been told the truth that their favourite Century year old swimming pool is about to close forever
Why is the Century Pool Closing?
- The only reason the Century Pool is closing is because the local Timaru District Council have decided to spend $23.5 million on a new Aquatic Centre in the North end of the City and the only way they can justify their extravagant expenditure is to get the families from the south end of Timaru swimming in the new aquatic centre to help pay for it.
Why make a donation online?
- I am well into my retirement years yet I have started this campaign for you by knocking on doors collecting what ever money people could be found in the wallets and purses of a cashless society
- I have managed to find over 300 people who were willing to give what they could for this very worthy cause
- Many people felt embarrassed that they have not have the cash available to donate more.
- This website makes it easy for you to donate all you have to have is either a Visa card, Master card or an American exress card and you can safely make a donation through Pay Pal from anywhere in the world
Where does the money go to?
- There is a bank account set up with Timaru Tourist Promotions Limited who are the managers of the Save the Century Pool campaign and as the money comes in it gets spent on promoting the Century Pool.
- So far we have promoted the Century pool on 6 SH1 Business Directory websites www.sh1.directory.co.nz and you will find the century pool listed in the online phone books in Invercargill, Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton and Christchurch all listed in the menus
- There are many questions that need to be asked of the Mayor, the Councillors and the Timaru District Council staff and the donations will be used to pay someone to do that and report the answers on this website
- The Timaru Directory News has just been launched locally and it will provide the answers to some of the many questions people are asking.
- If we do get the response from around the world that we are expecting from this global campaign we hope in time to form a charitable trust and be in a position to buy or lease the Century Pool so that it may remain as a swimming pool and can continue do what it has been doing for the past 110 years which is giving pleasure to people of all ages and teaching children how to swim.
SAVE A POOR CHILD FROM DROWNING
If you have read our brief story and you would like to save a poor child from drowning then please click the donation button on the left of this blog and make a donation to SAVE THE CENTURY POOL
