Party time for 100 year old 'Munies'

Supporters lobbying to keep Hamilton's 100-year-old Municipal Pools open will be celebrating the facility's centenary tomorrow with a party and a birthday cake.

It will be a "dry do" as the pools were drained when closed for attention before winter.

Created by popular cafe Hazel Hayes and Mr Milton's Canteen chef Brad Bakker - who no longer has time to swim - the cake will be shared by a group keen to see the pools refurbished and re-opened.

There is an open invitation to attend the historic party between 11am and 12.30pm.

At the party will be many swimming enthusiasts and athletes including Olympic and Commonwealth Games representative Gail Jonson and her mother Merle, former chair of Swimming New Zealand and life member of the New Zealand Swimming Association and Hamilton and Waikato clubs and local associations.

Losing the Municipal Pools will be a huge blow to the Jonsons.

Merle recalls growing up in Hamilton summers when she and her friends would swim down the river from McFarlane St and spend the whole day at the "Munies".

Gail Jonson, who still competes in open water events, coaches water polo and has high hopes for a daughter who is a national age group representative.

Six months ago the pools were closed after a leak was discovered and estimates of repair reached significant amounts.

Pool advocates will attend a full Hamilton City Council meeting on Tuesday whenthe pool's future may be disclosed.

Council staff will present an Opus report on the condition and future of the Municipal Pools.

The report was requested by councillors during the deliberations on the Ten Year Plan as insufficient information had been provided earlier for them to make an informed choice.

Pool supporters will find out today what is in the report.