Kia ora Koutou!

We need your support!  Are you based in the Waikato - please complete this form: DETAILS FORM

Please complete this form to save the Waikato University 50m outdoor pool, the only public pool on the Eastern side of Hamilton.

The University of Waikato Swimming Pool has been permanently closed and no longer operates as part of the university’s sports facilities. This decision is part of an effort to reduce maintenance and operational costs associated with the outdoor pool complex.

This is the only public pool operating on the Eastern side of Hamilton and it was used by a lot of local schools like St John's College, Silverdale Normal School and Berkley Normal Middle School who are in full support of this petition. Whether it was for swimming lessons or school swimming sports events it has been a huge asset to our community so it will be a massive loss if we lose it.  It was also open to the public during the summer months.

Comment from Silverdale School: We used it for our Swimming Sports Day and sometimes an end of year Fun Celebration Day for different levels of our school. In particular, it gives our students an experience of deep water and the length necessary for competition swimming, which are things we cannot replicate at school. Great for building water awareness and safety knowledge.

This petition could help gain support from Hamilton City Council to take action and save the pool, whether that means fixing the existing pool or building a new pool for the local community.

There were 72 drowning deaths recorded in 2024 and 90 in 2023, we must keep swimming as an integral part of school and community learning, and it's just a great place for kids, adults & Whānau to hang out in the hot summer months.

As you will be aware this does come with a huge cost but an essential cost, if this petition is successful, it will gain the required help needed.  If we wait too long, we will miss this opportunity - Sign the petition NOW to save lives!

In order for this to be a successful petition submission we need you to complete a personal details form via the links, it is a requirement from Hamilton City Council in order for each signature to count.  Due to NZ Privacy Law, your details will not be used for any other purpose other than this petition.  

SAVE THE POOL - DETAILS FORM

Ngā mihi nui,

Jolie Fenwick (Mother of 3 boys who attended Silverdale School, Berkley Normal School & now St John's College)