Built by locals.
Loved by generations.
70 years of community, connection, and summer memories — all centred around the Cust pool.
Our Pool's Journey
From community pride to crisis
Fundraising Begins
Wally Allen chairs the Bath Committee. The community begins fundraising to build a pool for the district.
Pool Opens
After ten years of volunteer effort — hand-mixed concrete, donated labour, and local builder Leo Thomson supervising free of charge — the pool is officially opened on 3rd December by the Hon. WH Gillespie MP.
Decades of Summer Fun
The Cust Amateur Swimming Club is formed. Generations of kids learn to swim, annual carnivals compete against North Canterbury clubs, and the pool becomes a cornerstone of community life.
Solar Heating Installed
A huge community fundraising effort leads to solar panels being installed in March 2022. Pool temperatures reach 24–32 degrees and membership hits maximum capacity every season.
Water Leak Investigated
An ongoing water leak — present in some form for years — is confirmed to reach all the way to the bottom of the pool. Multiple repair attempts including epoxy injection, resin coating, and fiberglass patching fail to stop it.
Pool Cannot Reopen
After working with the Waimakariri District Council and leak experts, the committee decides the pool must stay closed until repairs are completed.
The Fight to Reopen
A dedicated fundraising committee launches a major campaign. With $27,600 in reserves, they need to raise approximately $80,400 more to fund pipework replacement and potential pool lining.
Pool Facts
70
Years serving the community
25m
Pool length
100%
Volunteer run
1000s
Of swimmers each summer
Gallery
Community Voices
“The Cust pool is more than just a place to swim. It's where our kids learned confidence, where neighbours became friends, and where summer memories were made. We can't let it go.
Acknowledgements
The Cust Community Pool exists because of decades of volunteer effort — from Wally Allen's fundraising committee in 1945, to the volunteers who hand-mixed concrete to build it, to every family that has given their time, skills, and resources to keep this facility running.
Special thanks to Mark Whittaker, Andy Riley, and John Taylor for all they've done for the pool. And to the Waimakariri District Council for their ongoing support and every committee member — past and present — who has served the Cust Domain Recreation Reserve.
Help Us Write the Next Chapter