Physio Pool

Thank you all so much for your warm enthusiasm and wonderfully supportive comments on our plans to reopen the beautifully historic, purpose-built Physio Pool! It enabled up to 80,000 visits annually after opening in 1946, and we, the trustees, want to see it up and running again as soon as possible to benefit the many communities who need it.

Check out our updated website https://www.physiopool.org.nz/ and feel free to contact any of our trustees directly with any of your fundraising suggestions and any offers of individual support.

Watch this space!!!

Since 1983, the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust (a group of six volunteers) has managed the pool. The 2025/2026 Trustees are: John Bezett (Chair), Barb Anderson, Ted Daniels, Barb Gee, Katrina Pōtiki Bryant, and Ruth Thomson.

The Trustees are dedicated to restoring, reopening and maintaining Dunedin’s purpose-built heritage-listed Physio Pool. Here's how they aim to achieve that:
* Develop a new Business Plan with OCTA to present to Health NZ.
* Secure a 10-year lease with Health NZ.
* Launch community fundraising for capital and operating costs.
* Reopen, initially under a compliance-only model.
* Plan future upgrades whilst preserving the many significant heritage features.
* Collaborate with Health NZ, DCC, University of Otago, and other health organisations.

Watch this space - things are heating up!

Pictured: Barb Gee (Trustee), Barb Anderson (Trustee), Katrina Pōtiki Bryant (Trustee), Geoff Anderson (supporter), Jo Galer (Southern Heritage Trust) , Glenn Forrester (OCTA) , Ted Daniels (Trustee), John Bezett (Chair)
Absent: Ruth Thomson (Trustee)

https://www.physiopool.org.nz/our-trustees/
https://www.physiopool.org.nz/faqs/
https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/physio-pool-campaign-heating

📢 The Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust’s Feasibility Report is now available on our website 📢

The Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust commissioned this report from Feldspar Associates to assess the feasibility of redeveloping or replacing our Dunedin Physio Pool, which has been closed since May 2021 due to major mechanical issues.

The report outlines redevelopment costs, potential new sites, operational challenges, and key recommendations for moving forward.

https://www.physiopool.org.nz/

University of Otago Research Study Looking for Participants

Hot-water bathing vs. exercise training for reducing blood pressure

Some studies have shown heat therapy (hot-water bathing) may be an effective therapy for lowering blood pressure. It is unclear how effective it is for lowering blood pressure in people with high blood pressure when performed regularly for 8 weeks.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞.

Study participants will be randomised to either heat therapy or supervised exercise training for 8 weeks. Participants will attend 3 sessions per week and each session is 25-45 minutes duration.

Free off-street parking is available. You will be reimbursed $200 to cover costs incurred due to study participation

For more information or to participate contact the research team ASAP as the study is about to start:
Sammy Heyward
Email: [email protected]

School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago
This study has received ethical approval from the University of Otago Ethics Committee (Health), ethics reference number H24/0100.

Survey showed strong support for a new Physio Pool in Dunedin

In November last year, the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust surveyed the public as part of a feasibility study about future options for the Physio Pool.

Most respondents to the survey Pool said they preferred a new hydrotherapy centre over redeveloping the existing Physio Pool.

Trust Secretary-Treasurer Neville Martin said about 1,900 people responded to the survey. Over half of respondents were former users of the Physio Pool. One fifth of respondents identified as disabled.

Respondents said they wanted a new pool on a different site with additional features such as a gym, physiotherapy services, steam room, spa pool and café. They preferred a centre with additional features as well as a pool, over a like for like replacement pool on a different site.

Most respondents identified car parking as a key issue. Car parking options will be considered as part of the feasibility study

Read the full article on https://www.physiopool.org.nz

Thank you to our wonderful community for your amazing feedback on the Physio Pool! Around 1,800 people filled in the survey and showed overwhelming support for having a hydrotherapy pool (such as the Physio Pool) in Dunedin.

This is a very positive first step to restore this facility/service in our city.

We’re now analysing the feedback for the feasibility study. The Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust will discuss the options early next year and we’ll keep you updated on developments.

Today, Friday 1 Dec - last day for our feasibility survey on the future of PhysioPool Dunedin
5 mins is all it takes! Link below

THANK YOU! 😀
A big thank you to the more than 900 people so far who have filled in the survey for all their useful feedback on a hydrotherapy pool in Dunedin!
We appreciate your support and enthusiasm which will help make this project a reality.

However, we still need more people to complete the survey and there's still time as it closes Friday 24 November.

Find more info and the link to the survey
▶️ https://www.physiopool.org.nz/

Please share this post with anyone who you think would be interested in having a hydrotherapy pool in Dunedin again!

🔷 MAKE YOUR SUPPORT & IDEAS HEARD - SURVEY 🔷

We need you to show support for a hydrotherapy pool in Dunedin and help it move from an idea into reality!

Our survey on the pool is now open and we’d love to hear your thoughts on whether the Physio Pool should be upgraded or whether a new pool should be built. If a new pool was built, tell us what you think should be included.

Find more info and the link to the survey at https://www.physiopool.org.nz/

Survey closes Friday, 24 November 2023.

Please share this post with anyone who you think would be interested in having a hydrotherapy pool in Dunedin again!