Community pool pitch for Raglan

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

The aim is to create ‘a highly flexible facility capable of serving multiple groups within the same hour’, a Raglan Community Pool Charitable Trust report says (file photo).

Raglan could get its first purpose-built community pool, with a local trust eyeing four possible sites.

After extensive planning work, the Raglan Community Pool Charitable Trust is proposing a 25-metre pool that could be divided into four zones and have different water depths.

The Rangitahi area of Raglan is one of the locations being investigated.

That would help meet the goal of “a highly flexible facility capable of serving multiple groups within the same hour“, the trust says in a report to the Raglan Community Board. Uses could range from toddlers learning water confidence to adults seeking fitness and rehabilitation programmes.

The trust’s report comes after planning work which pointed to the ongoing need for a community pool, the report says.

A progress update is on the agenda for the community board’s Wednesday meeting, though two concept options are still being developed by an architect.

“Currently, the available pool space in Raglan is only seasonal, shallow and mainly non-accessible for the wider community,” a report from the trust said.

Many possible pool locations have been considered, but many were ruled out.

“The pools are on school property or a private pool used almost exclusively for water safety and learn to swim activity. There is no hydrotherapy or deeper water for out-of-depth activity, and there is very little opportunity for lane swimming for fitness.”

The report says projected population growth over the next 30 years is expected to increase demand for aquatic facilities, while travel to pools in places like Hamilton, Cambridge, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia and Te Awamutu can be a problem due to distance, travel time and cost.

Fifteen possible pool sites were assessed. Most were ruled out, leaving Oram Park, Wainui Reserve, Raglan Golf Club and Rangitahi as the locations still being considered.

Rangitahi got the highest score, the report says, with factors including existing parking, available services and a landowner willing to gift land. Oram Park was next, with advantages including being near central Raglan and available space for parking.

The trust also considered several options for the facility, including a seasonal pool, indoor pool structures and a “hybrid retractable enclosure” that could be used nine months of the year.

“Beyond swimming, a year-round aquatic facility could open the door to programmes and activities that are currently difficult or unavailable in Raglan, including diving instruction, lifesaving training, rehabilitation services, fitness programmes, and other water-based community initiatives,” the trust’s report said.

An architect is preparing two concept design options and a quantity surveyor will then provide a capital cost estimate, the trust said. This information will inform work on the long-term financial sustainability and feasibility.

Provided the community pool is feasible, the next steps include securing a site, obtaining consents and seeking funding commitments.