Cherry Lucas Cherry comes from a background in council and has an array of responsibilities in the trust. She handles many of the trusts professional relationships and connections with council.

Bill Feather After several terms on the Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board, Bill has joined the Trust team and is ensuring that the project runs to a systematic and transparent process.

David Murphy David Murphy is a long-time Mosgiel resident with a passion for swimming. He has a wealth of knowledge in aquatic complexes and is working with designers to integrate the latest technology in pool heating and management into a conceptual design.

Martin Dillon Martin has been a community board member for 16 years and is committed to the Mosgiel Community. He has worked with the council aquatic working party over the last several years and knows the whole pool project in detail.

Ken Whitcombe (Secretary)Ken comes from a legal background and has taken on the secretarial role within the trust. He has been responsible for compiling all the existing council information and reports into aquatics on the Taieri.

Teresa Christie Teresa has been on the trust since its inception in 2005. She has a wealth of experience in community projects and fund-raising.

Geoff Woodcock Like Teresa, Geoff has been on the Trust since it began. He led the trust during the playground project and has experience in community projects and fundraising.

Advisor: Michael Stedman, ONZM Like David Gerrard, Michael Stedman comes from an incredibly successful background. He is most well known for his work in turning Natural History New Zealand into a world-leader in film. He brings a wealth of knowledge, insight and skill to the trust and is determined to make this project a resounding success. Due to ill health, Michael has resigned from his position as chair and taken a back-seat role in the project.

Thanks for taking some time to learn about the Taieri Community Facilities Trust. We are group of residents that are passionate about the Taieri and who have come together to work on significant projects in the local community. Our last major project was the Memorial Gardens Playground. Starting with only $200 000, we raised enough to complete our vision for what would turn out to be a $875 000 playground. The playground is a resounding success. It is now a major attraction to Mosgiel and regularly sees significant numbers of people coming from Dunedin and beyond.

As a team we know what we are doing. We work with the best people we can possibly find, we work hard, and we get results.

Legal stuff: The Taieri Community Facilities Trust is an incorporated charitable trust board (1761406) under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 and registered charity (CC37622) under the Charities Act 2005 and can be searched on the Charitable Trusts Register at www.societies.govt.nz and Charities Register at www.charities.govt.nz.  Donations of $5 or more by individuals attract a 30% tax credit, and donations by corporations attract a tax deduction.”

The full study is available for download here: Taieri Aquatic Facility Report.pdf.

The funding capability report is available here: Compton Report.

Why isn’t DCC funding the full cost of this project?
DCC have only ever committed to a two-pool complex, as a direct replacement to the existing pool. Our community has grown hugely since the two-pool complex was built in the 1930s and with our population sitting at 15,000 and still growing at around 8% a year, we need a multipurpose, all age facility. If we only had two pools, what part of our community misses out?

Why is this project being led by a trust?
A community run trust has access to community funding that Council cannot access. A community led project is also more likely to generate goodwill and community support. This project is being led by the people for the people.

Why is the complex being built so far from the town centre?
Initially the pool site identified was in the Memorial Gardens behind the library. Some sectors of the community were not happy with the gardens space being taken up with a building. The current site is still reasonably central, as good access from both Reid Ave and Gordon road and it is looking like there may be the additional advantage of being able to capture the water in the water bore next to the existing pool, to assist with the heating of the water for the pool.

What happens if the money cannot be raised?
The community has committed to needing a four-pool complex. IF the money cannot be raised then the design of the pool will need to be looked at. A DCC report in 2015 recommended a 3-pool complex, but this would mean either our children or our elderly would not be catered for.  Over 2000 people submitted in 2014 that a four-pool option was the ideal for Mosgiel and the Taieri.

Why is there no diving pool, lazy river or hydro slide?
It makes sense not to replicate services that are already provided at Moana Pool. Lazy rivers are expensive to build, because of the curved edges and the need for an extra life guard to supervise this space. Hydro slides often present problems in the build and maintenance and diving pools are expensive to heat and run. By leaving these types of structures for Moana pool we can get a better all-purpose facility for our community, rather than specialising.

With the drowning rates in NZ on the increase, why isn’t this being funded by Central Government?
The best way for us to get Govt funding is by donating to the project and then getting the IRD donee rebate. This equates to getting 33% funding from the Govt. i.e.: A donation of $1500 qualifies for a tax refund of $500 from the Govt, essentially  meaning that of your $1500 donation $1000 is paid by you and $500 by the Govt refund to you.

How are you going to raise this money?
DCC has committed $6 million at this time.

We are able to go to various grant organisations and funding charities as well as working with the wider Dunedin community to raise this money. Capital Fundraising is a carefully worked out science. We have done our homework and believe our target is achievable.

This project has huge community buy in and other than the initial site selection, there are very few who are not in favour of this project. By utilising this good will and desire to get a project of this scale on the Taieri, we want to encourage people to step up and get involved. We want people who love the Taieri and have made their lives and businesses in the area to give back to the community that has supported them, by investing in this project.

There will also be a range of public fundraising events and activities as the project progresses.

What are the four pools we hear about?
The complex will have a 25 metre lap pool, a 20 metre learn to swim pool, a hydro therapy pool with a temp of between 32 – 34 degrees for therapy, warmer swimming and rehab. The fourth space will be a splash pad/ beach entry leisure space for children and families. It is hoped that the complex will also have a large spa pool. Other features include family changing rooms, pool side seating, disability access ramps into key water spaces, good storage for club use and the ability to expand the facility in the future if the need arose.

How will my gift be acknowledged?
Everyone who wishes to be acknowledged will have their name displayed in an appropriate way in the foyer of the pool complex. There are also opportunities for naming of certain areas of the complex to acknowledge exceedingly generous giving or long term partnerships in this project.

If you have questions that are not answered here please contact the Chairperson of our Trust: Irene Mosley 027 277 5631 or Fundraising Chairperson Bob Campbell 021 569 147