Pool design revealed

Napier residents are getting their first glance at how a new, controversial $41 million aquatic centre development in the city may look.

Napier City Council yesterday ratified a decision to approve the scope for the tender for the new facility, one of Napier’s major projects, which will be built on the corner of Prebensen and Tamatea drives.

The tender for construction would be advertised in mid-May, and it’s anticipated the council would consider the tender award in July. Construction is expected to begin in late 2019, with an opening date in early 2022.

Wayne Jack, the city council’s chief executive, said the new design was ‘‘future-proof’’, and allowed for expansion.

The building would be accessed from Tamatea Drive, and would have a 25-metre lap pool. It would also have a learn-toswim pool, play pool, hydrotherapy pool, two hydro-slides, a gym, spin room, cafe, birthday party room, an outdoor playground and ‘‘water play’’ area.

The council was working with groups who would use the facility, to ensure their needs were met in the design.

The development has been controversial for both ratepayers and councillors, with six of the latter trying – and failing – in December to get the proposal back out to the public, claiming they voted on biased, misleading and false information when first approving the plan in June. This followed a petition of more than 7000 people asking councillors to re-consult on the plan.