Background

Before the closure of Naenae Pool, Council were working on a Naenae Community Hub project - this took a short pause following the pool closure. Following the Voice of the Community engagement project, we now know there is a need for a community hub. But, the community’s definition of a hub is different to those we’ve developed in other communities.

A summary of the engagement findings was presented to Council in December 2019. Council listened to the community's needs and agreed that replacing Naenae Pool alongside a spatial plan to reinvigorate the town centre is a key priority.

We’re working with the community to develop a spatial plan that will guide the development of further facilities in the town centre, to which Council committed funding of $9 million towards. This will deliver the same benefits of a hub, in a way that fits the community.

The Naenae Spatial Plan seeks to deliver a blueprint for the development of a lively, functional town centre which meets the community’s aspirations as captured in the Voice of the Community engagement project of 2019, for a town centre where people can:

• do the basics
• stay active
• support local people
• connect regularly
• gather at meaningful times
• make memories
• come together as a community
• be safe and satisfied.

As part of the project, the team will be engaging with the community to hear their thoughts and feelings towards the future of Naenae town centre.