A Mangere resident is making waves about the local pool temperature.
Filo Patumau, an 83-year-old Niuean woman, has been a regular at her local Mangere pools for 18 years in an effort to keep active.
However, she says the water temperature has become too cold. “The pool is not heated, the pool is too cold!”
Patumau believes the Auckland City council is being “too stingy with money” and not considering the needs of the elderly community.
She says she’s contacted the Council many times, but has come up against a brick wall.
When Tagata Pasifika visited the pools, swimmer Savelio Vou, also noticed the temperature changes. “It’s started to get a little bit warm, it’s really good, not like before in the summertime, it was really cold”.
Manager of Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Leisure Centre, Waitangi Mika, insists the water temperature is checked six times a day to make sure it’s consistent.
The outdoor pools are unheated, the larger pool inside should be 28 degrees and the pool where Filo trains is 32-33 degrees.
Mika says the pool is heated by a heat pump and the temperature is set to New Zealand standards. He’s insistent the temperature shouldn’t be different whatever time of day or season it is.
However, Patumau is not satisfied with the Pool’s response. She says, “ it does not add up, the temperature is cold. The pool needs to be heated up for the older people.”
Despite her frustration, she says she will continue to go to the pool because she loves it and it’s good for her health. But she hopes her plea for warmer water will be heard.
“I would dearly love for Auckland Council to hear our plight, hear our crying out. Make the pool warm, make the pool warm!”
