Swimming Lockers & Entry Machines
Gregory Soar made this Official Information request to Whanganui District Council
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From: Gregory Soar
Dear Whanganui District Council,
It is seven weeks since seeking information on lockers and how to use them at our Splash Centre, London St. I sought information on how the combination locks work and how vision impaired would work them. No answers were received other than bring your own lock until they let the community know how it works.
1. How does one work the combination locks at Splash Centre that are fitted on the lockers?
2. How are vision impaired ( glasses will be safely in locker during swim ) able to use these lockers.
3. How do vision impaired keep valuables safe whilst using Splash Centre?
4. If Splash Centre “holds valuables” as they do currently by having reception retain them who is responsible for-any loss whilst being securely held / held by reception?
5. When will Splash Centre let their community know about the locker operations as stated to me in correspondence dated 16th June 2025?
6. What is the planned installation date / expected installation date of the entry machines currently sitting in the foyer since January? A recent correspondence from Splash said “soon” as a timeframe which conveys nothing really.
7. How are vision impaired catered for by Splash Centre procedures
8. How much money did the blue lockers cost to buy.
9. How much money did the blue lockers combination locks cost?
10. How much money did the blue lockers cost to have installed?
Yours faithfully,
Gregory Soar
From: WDC Information Request
Whanganui District Council
Dear Mr Soar,
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your official information request
dated Sunday 10 August 2025.
We received your request on 3 August 2025. We will endeavour to respond to
your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than 05
September 2025, being 20 working days after the day your request was
received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact me on (06) 349 0001
or by return email. If any additional factors come to light which are
relevant to your request, please do not hesitate to contact me so that
these can be taken into account.
Kind regards,
Whanganui Information Request | LGOIMA Request
P: +64 6 349 0001 | M: +64 6 349 0001
www.whanganui.govt.nz
Whanganui District Council | 101 Guyton Street | Whanganui 4500
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From: WDC Information Request
Whanganui District Council
Dear Mr Soar,
I refer to your information request dated 10 August 2025 relating to The
Splash Centre Whanganui. Management staff at The Splash Centre Whanganui
have provided a response to each of your queries below.
1. How does one work the combination locks at Splash Centre that are
fitted on the lockers?
Option 1: Session Lock (Top Lockers)
• At reception, purchase a temporary code for your visit.
• Enter the code into the lock, place belongings inside, close
the door, and click the lock shut.
• Scramble the dials before leaving.
• To reopen: line the dials back to your code and pull the lock
open.
• At the end of your visit, leave the lock hanging on the door
for the next customer.
Option 2: Bring Your Own Padlock (Bottom Two Rows)
• Customers may bring and use their own padlock.
o Unlock and remove padlocks at the end of each session—items
cannot be stored overnight.
We would like to acknowledge that in response to the above question our
intention was (and still is)to roll out a robust process, internally the
process needs to be owned by a team and first and foremost the roles of
our team is around safety and enjoyment for our customers. This has led to
delay in roll out – with best intentions the lockers can be utilised in
the manner outlined in option 2 currently, and surety for option 1 is a
priority for testing phase for our team. Our policy is currently drafted
and being reviewed internally.
2. How are vision impaired ( glasses will be safely in locker during swim
) able to use these lockers.
We understand that not everyone finds combination locks easy to use —
particularly if:
• Vision is impaired (e.g. glasses are stored inside the locker
during swimming)
• Memory or dexterity issues (e.g. arthritis, difficulty turning
dials)
What to do
• Option 2 (Bring your own lock): We recommend customers who
prefer a simpler or more familiar system bring their own padlock to use on
the bottom two rows of lockers.
• This gives you the confidence to use a lock that suits your
personal needs.
• A key-based padlock, larger dial lock, or other accessible
style can be used.
3. How do vision impaired keep valuables safe whilst using Splash Centre?
Our Intention is that all customers should have the opportunity to safely
secure their valuables, regardless of vision or mobility challenges. If
the Centre-issued locks are not the best option for you, we encourage you
to use your own lock that suits your personal needs.
4. If Splash Centre “holds valuables” as they do currently by having
reception retain them who is responsible for-any loss whilst being
securely held / held by reception?
• Splash Centre has offered to hold valuables at reception for
customers on request.
• While this has worked well to date (no reported issues), there
is always an element of risk when the Centre takes responsibility for
storing personal belongings.
• This risk is currently managed through CCTV monitoring and
staff procedures.
• If valuables are handed to reception, staff will take all
reasonable care to keep them safe.
• However, the Centre cannot accept full liability for any loss,
theft, or damage, as items remain the property and responsibility of the
customer.
Moving Forward
• With the installation of lockers throughout the facility,
customers will be encouraged to self-secure valuables.
• This system is designed to reduce risk for both customers and
the Centre, ensuring that everyone has secure and independent storage.
5. When will Splash Centre let their community know about the locker
operations as stated to me in correspondence dated 16th June 2025?
• At present, there is no set timeline for full roll out of
option 1.
• However, we will provide a public update on Option 2 (bring
your own padlock for the bottom lockers) at the beginning of September
2025, as there are no limitations around this option.
• We remain committed to sharing full details and timelines of
both locker options by the end of September 2025.
This approach ensures our community can plan ahead, with clear information
about how to securely store belongings when visiting the Splash Centre.
6. What is the planned installation date / expected installation date of
the entry machines currently sitting in the foyer since January? A recent
correspondence from Splash said “soon” as a timeframe which conveys
nothing really.
We acknowledge that the entry machines have been visible in the foyer for
sometime, and that earlier updates using terms such as “soon” have not
provided the clarity our community may have wanted.
• The gates arrived in April.
• Installation is now underway, with works scheduled to be
completed by mid-September 2025.
• The delay was due to the need to keep the foyer open while
major pool renovations were in progress — closing both spaces at the same
time was not possible.
7. How are vision impaired catered for by Splash Centre procedures
• At present, this is not something we have specifically
considered in our policies and procedures.
• When we review our current procedures we will do so with
accessibility in mind, to ensure that vision impaired customers are fully
supported and can safely and confidently access our services.
8. How much money did the blue lockers cost to buy.
$9,346.77
9. How much money did the blue lockers combination locks cost?
$2,344 installed with chains and override mechanisms etc
10. How much money did the blue lockers cost to have installed?
This was undertaken ‘in-house’, no costs have been calculated.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
me on 06 349 0001 or by return email.
Yours sincerely
Whanganui Information Request | LGOIMA Request
P: +64 6 349 0001 | M: +64 6 349 0001
[2]www.whanganui.govt.nz
Whanganui District Council | 101 Guyton Street | Whanganui 4500
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