Key water infrastructure projects will be brought forward to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Horowhenua District, the 2023/2024 fees and charges schedule has been set and the Foxton Beach Freeholding Account will help fund the Foxton Pools .
Having a four-wheel-drive vehicle for emergencies will save an ambulance from beaching itself. The vehicle was expected to get final approval when the plan was adopted later this year. The brigade raised more than $30,000 towards the almost $95,000 vehicle, mainly through a golf fundraiser held earlier in the year. The truck would be kitted out with a water tank, winch and first-aid equipment and was expected to service not only the beach, but incidents across Horowhenua and Manawatū where a FWD vehicle could be required. Horowhenua councillor David Allan was delighted to see the account was being used to assist not only Foxton Beach, but the wider community as well.
Rachel Moore14:00, Jun 01 2021
David Unwin/Stuff
Foxton Pools will become a year-round venue after councillors voted to spend $2.6m on it as part of their Long-Term Plan.
The Foxton Pool is set to become a basic year-round pool, with the hopes of adding more features if external funding is sourced. The future of the 13-year-old Foxton Pools is in limbo, after its building was deemed irreparable and in need of demolition. The Horowhenua District Council consulted the community on what to do as part of the Long-Term Plan, and gave people five options; an indoor and outdoor leisure pool, a basic all-year pool, a seasonal outdoor leisure pool, a seasonal outdoor basic pool, or permanently closing the facility.
Foxton Primary School students enjoy the use of the pool. Sport New Zealand spaces and places consultant Julian Todd said it supported the creation of an indoor and outdoor leisure pool. This was the most expensive option, and would cost $9.4 million, with a rates impact of $44.53 per year from 2024/2025. It would involve demolishing and rebuilding the centre, extended at the front for a multi-purpose room. Todd said it supported the feasibility study by Visitor Solutions, Architecture HDT, and Deloitte released in March, that said this was the strongest option. The report said the benefits included providing an all-year facility and improving its appeal, which had the support of the community.
The repairs were expected to cost $350,000, and funding was secured earlier this year. Horowhenua District Council project manager Tony Parsons said half of the work would be paid by the Foxton Beach Freeholding Account and the rest from the Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council. The Manawatū Marine Boat Club used the wharf frequently and would also fund some repair work. Local contractor Caldow Builders would complete the work and Horowhenua District Council’s Infrastructure Development Group would manage the project. They would be on-site from next week. Up to 800 tonnes of rock would strengthen the wharf and help prevent storm damage for many years.