Do it once, do it right— council

Waipa District Council has confirmed it will go ahead with the more expensive option for the Cambridge Pool project.

The agreed plans mean the Cambridge Pool complex will include an upgrade of the existing outdoor pool, a new 10-lane indoor pool and learner’s pool, a hydrotherapy pool, spa and sauna and a children’s splash pad.

There will be increased seating and a community room as well as car parking and landscaping.

Last month council asked the Waipa community for feedback on two options— to stick with the $9.9 million option approved in the 10-Year Plan or increase the budget to $16.5m and add new features. More than 700 people responded, with 80 per cent favouring the more expensive option.

Council also agreed to provide additional funding to upgrade the area around the outdoor 50m pool and to provide stacking window sliders to allow for more temporary seating. These come with a cost of $185,300, taking the total cost of the pool development to $16.685m.

For mayor Jim Mylchreest, today’s decision is a huge milestone for the project.

“This project has been a long time coming and today’s decision is a reflection of our community’s wishes.

“The new plans and the additional features means we will have a facility that the whole community can enjoy— now and into the future.”

Additional features may be added to the complex in future years if funding becomes available.