Survey for the Future of a Hydrotherapy Pool in Dunedin

Introduction

The Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust, who run the Physio Pool, is committed to providing a hydrotherapy pool for Dunedin people. The Physio Pool closed in 2021, owing to mechanical failure and will be expensive to upgrade. We would like to hear your feedback about whether the Physio Pool should be upgraded or whether a new pool should be built. If a new pool were to be built, we would like to hear what you would like to be included in this facility. Your answers to these questions will help us to understand what you would like for a hydrotherapy pool in Dunedin. We will consider your feedback before we decide on the next steps.

Our online survey is compatible with most screen reading apps, including JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver and TalkBack.

For more information, please see our website: www.physiopool.org.nz

Background

Hydrotherapy pools include facilities for warm water pool activities, such as swimming, aqua jogging, and exercising. They are particularly helpful for older people, for people with mobility issues/disabilities, and for rehabilitation after accidents and surgery.

The much-loved and well-used Physio Pool has provided therapeutic hydrotherapy services for Dunedin residents for almost 80 years. The facility is in need of considerable repair and would require substantive investment to re-open. The facility is owned by Te Whatu Ora but has been operated as a public swimming pool by the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust for around 40 years.

The Trust, supported by Te Whatu Ora and the DCC, is working on a feasibility project to look at options either to redevelop the existing pool or build a replacement pool. The feasibility work is being funded by the Lottery Grants Board.