Money rolls in for Cambridge Pool

13 December 2018

Just over a year away from opening its doors, the Cambridge Pool is getting close to its $2 million fundraising target.

There's been a recent boost in funding thanks to a $100,000 donation from the John and Glenice Gallagher Trust and a further $200,000 from the Grassroots Trust - a trust that supports community projects.

Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the final fundraising target is close enough to sniff and he was confident the final goal would be met.

We have had tremendous help from the community and that is a reflection of the enormous support for the pool project, not just in Cambridge but beyond, Mylchreest said.

Meanwhile, work continues at pace at the construction site with excavation nearly complete, underground services being installed in the coming weeks and foundations laid early next year.

The community will see steady progress within the next few months with the facility really starting to take shape, Mylchreest said.

We're confident the design and the extra services we've worked hard to include, like the hydrotherapy pool and splash pad, will make the wait well worth it.

With the Cambridge Pool now closed for the refurbishment, Council has put on free buses between Cambridge and Te Awamutu so Cambridge people can easily access Te Awamutu's Livingstone Aquatic Centre over summer.

The free bus runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the weeks of 17 December, 7 January and 14 January. The bus leaves from the Cambridge i-SITE twice a day (8.30am and 12.30pm) and returns from the Te Awamutu i-SITE at 11.30am and 4.30pm.

If there is demand Council may consider extending the bus service for longer.

Donations previously received for the Cambridge Pool include $400,000 from Trust Waikato, $300,000 from the Brian Perry Charitable Trust, $300,000 from the Lotteries Commission, $80,000 from ASB Bank, $80,000 from CR Developments, $100,000 from Frances Skeet Trust, $15,000 from Shoof International Limited, $20,000 from Shaw's Wire Ropes, $100,000 from Cambridge Lions Club and $6,000 from local real estate agents Karen Grootscholten and Kelly Grice. APL donated $100,000 of in-kind services and an anonymous donor dropped off a cheque for $20,000 to the Cambridge council office.