New Zealand Town Raises $129K to Save Community Pool

When Kellie Lissington's daughter jumps into the Carterton Indoor Pool for her weekly swim lesson, she's splashing in the same water where her mom, grandfather, and great-grandmother learned to swim decades ago.

Now that four-generation legacy hangs in the balance. The nearly 40-year-old facility in south Wairarapa is falling apart, with rust dropping from the roof into the pool and poor ventilation making the air hard to breathe.

"I would be heartbroken," says Lissington, whose two eldest children attend lessons twice weekly at the region's only public indoor pool. "I just love the Carterton Indoor pool. It's personal for me."

For swim coach Russell Geange, it's equally personal. The 75-year-old has taught thousands of children to swim since the pool opened in 1987, including Lissington herself and now her kids.

"It's getting swimmers to the national standard, but also seeing kids who can't swim their first length of freestyle or backstroke, that is what keeps me wanting to do this," Geange says. He jokes darkly about which will give out first: him or the building.

Without the indoor pool, families face a 15-kilometer drive to Masterton, the next closest option. For much of the year, outdoor pools are simply too cold for lessons and rehabilitation sessions.

The Ripple Effect

The campaign to replace the deteriorating structure has already pulled together $129,000 from the tight-knit community. Project chair Anna Beetham says they're working on their third design proposal, this time featuring a retractable aluminum enclosure that's cheaper than traditional indoor ventilation systems.

But building costs have skyrocketed, and the project now needs over $2 million to complete. "If we don't raise the money, we'll lose the pool, it's as simple as that," Beetham warns.

The facility serves far more than just kids learning to swim. Elderly residents use it for low-impact exercise, and rehabilitation patients depend on it for recovery therapy.

The Carterton District Council awarded the swim club $7,500 in community grants last year but hasn't committed capital funding yet due to budget constraints. Officials say they're considering funding requests for their 2027-37 Long-Term Plan, with public consultation starting later this year.

Council representatives acknowledge the pool as a "highly valued community asset" and praise the volunteer fundraising effort. For now, the community keeps swimming, teaching, and hoping their shared pool survives another generation.