Slowly but surely, the water is leaking out of school swimming pools. About 156 school pools have closed in the past six years and a further 130 are at risk of being shut down permanently, according to Water Safety NZ.
Otago, of course, is not immune and, in fact, has more pools on the endangered list than any other region. In Dunedin, Portobello School, Dunedin North Intermediate, Macandrew Bay and Wakari School are among those under threat. Water Safety NZ has resorted to a Givealittle page to try to ensure no more close, and this week the Labour Party called on the Ministry of Education to do more to keep pools open, particularly in rural areas.
Pools are expensive to run and maintain and bring with them strict safety requirements. Add the heavy initial capital building cost, and it is most unlikely schools would go ahead these days with building a pool.
Yet, New Zealand is an island nation with many lakes and rivers. Boating, fishing, swimming and generally enjoying the water epitomise a New Zealand summer.
Yet, this also is a nation of high drowning rates, averaging about 100 a year. To make matters worse, swimming standards are deteriorating. There was more emphasis after the 1950s on swimming ability, but that has since waned.
School pupils by the end of year 6 are supposed to have been taught fundamental aquatic skills, and this can take place at a school pool or off site. This is a challenge for primary schools and the skills learned are likely to be basic, at best. Often, it is only the children of parents who pay for private lessons who learn to swim properly.
Some government funding is provided to schools, either for a pool or for the cost of transport and entry to another school or community pool.
But this is far too little to cover pool costs. Portobello School has estimated the costs for the pool at $7000 a year, while the grant from the Ministry of Education was $400.
Last year world championship silver medallist Lauren Boyle became the ambassador for the ‘‘Save Our School Pool'' campaign, launching it at Macandrew Bay. There is much goodwill for these pools.
Given pool costs, the ministry's reluctance is understandable. But valuable community assets are deteriorating or disappearing. At the same time, more pressure is being put on municipal pools. They, too, are costly to ratepayers even when well used.
Crucially, children from local schools and communities are more likely to learn to swim and be confident in the water if a pool is nearby and available. Closing school pools cannot help but lead to further deterioration in swimming standards and therefore both the ability for people to delight in the water and be safe in it.
It might not be feasible for the ministry to fully fund school pools. Schools will always have to rely on expertise and enthusiasm from within communities. But significant extra help is required to keep more pools open.
And another thing . . .
More good news keeps emerging about the restoration of Dunedin historic buildings. This newspaper reported this week about two more revivals under way or planned in Princes St and one each in Cumberland, Crawford and Vogel Sts.
In each case, the buildings might not be in the same category as the courthouse or railway station, but each has historic merit and each adds to the ambience of areas south of the Octagon and Queens Gardens. Each is a gem in its own right, shining as part of the crown that is Dunedin's magnificent built heritage.
The owners and developers deserve our appreciation and support. Dunedin is the richer for their efforts.
