Claims of people being threatened with knives at Nayland Pool are frightening visitors.
However, Nelson City Council is confident its contractor is maintaining a safe environment.
Shelley Bishop posted in a community Facebook group about an experience that her friend had at the pool on Sunday 19 November which sparked public outrage.
She later told Local Democracy Reporting that a group of young teens had pulled a knife out and, after pool staff were alerted, beat the 6-year-old child who had told staff in the changing room.
“These kids are entering the complex with knives, screwdrivers, and hammers in their bags,” Bishop claimed.
“They have absolutely no fear of adult authority, they will threaten to stab you, they don’t care.”
Following her post, Bishop said four other people have reached out to her and shared similar experiences from the past year.
Another woman, who asked not to be named, said that kids threw chunks of concrete into the pool during a visit last summer threatened to stab her husband when he told them not to.
She said she was “really shocked” to hear the behaviour is still occurring this season.
“We’re not going to use Nayland Pool this year, which is a real shame, it’s a great facility.”
Both women want stronger enforcement from pool staff and the kids banned from the pool.
“Every family has the right to be there and enjoy their day,” Bishop said.
Group manager community services Andrew White said the council is aware of the incident on 19 November.
“We take any incident like this very seriously,” he said. “Having spoken to [council’s pool contractor] CLM staff about the incident, we are confident that they handled the incident to a high professional standard.”
He added that the knife involved was a butter knife and that the child who held it up was trespassed for a day.
“As there was no threat to public safety, CLM management did not contact the police.”
The pool hosts about 35,000 visitors during the five months it is open each year. White said there were just two recorded incidents last summer, one of which required staff to call the police.
Pool staff met with police and Whanake Youth to discuss strategies around conflict and young people ahead of this summer season.
“Staff have been forging close relationships with young people at the pool to maintain a safe atmosphere,” White said.
Kai Rescue also delivers free fruit to the pool, “which can help calm things down on a hot day.”
White said that the council is in contact with CLM daily and is immediately contacted after serious incidents, which the police are informed of “when necessary”. Safety incidents are also discussed in monthly meetings.
“Staff will continue to monitor the park, including changing rooms. There will also be a security guard onsite on Saturday afternoons,” he said.
“We have every confidence that CLM and Nayland Pool will deliver another fun and safe summer season, as they do each year.”
By Max Frethey for Local Democracy Reporting
Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ On Air
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