Alpine Aqualand is a community facility delivering a community learn-to-swim programme, not a business owned by a commercial entity - facts which appear to have become lost during an "emotional debate", Lakes Leisure board director Peter Faul says.
The board has come in for criticism over its decision to limit access to two commercial swim school operations at Alpine Aqualand.
However, Mr Faul said the issue for the board to consider was how to keep costs under control for the $18 million swimming facility which opened last May, "bearing in mind it's fully ratepayer funded".
"We've got a very, very popular learn-to-swim programme that's in-house and we've got excellent people around that.
We deliver what we think is the best programme in this area . . . we've got it as affordable as we can make it and the community get in the door at a relatively low cost with an expert [teacher]."
Mr Faul said the learn-to-swim programme provided by Alpine Aqualand was spearheaded by Alex Calwel, who had qualifications at both a Bachelor and Masters level.
While the community had access to the programme, Lakes Leisure was simultaneously able to generate "some revenue" which went to offset the centre's running costs, he said.
"We couldn't achieve all of that if we contracted our space [to commercial operators]. The board has made its decision some time ago. I am more than happy with the process.
"We've been through a pretty rough shake-down from the council to make sure that our decision is just and fair. We consider that it is.
"Commercial operators have a direct effect on rates through increased costs to run Alpine Aqualand.
"We try to consider all the ratepayers - can we provide for the community . . . with our learn to swim programme? We believe we can.
"There is still the opportunity for commercial operators [which also gives the community a choice]."
Mr Faul said one of the issues which had arisen was that of unused capacity within Alpine Aqualand, which some argued could be used by the commercial swim schools.
However, Mr Faul said at "peak times" the pool was full, demand had been high and several programmes were being worked on to better use the down time in the pool.
"We have to maximise capacity and maximise revenue.
"One of the things that gets lost in all of this emotional debate is that the community owns the learn-to-swim programme. The community owns the facility. It is a community service. It's not a business that's owned by a commercial entity. It is very much community-owned."
Mr Faul said on Friday an agreement had also been reached with both the Wakatipu Swim School and Water Discovery to give both operators access to Alpine Aqualand on Sundays and through the school holiday period.
