$24m pool project nears completion
Cambridge’s long-awaited multimillion dollar swimming pool has been flooded with challenges but looks to be in the lane heading towards its final lap with the completion date now April 2021.
The budget for the pool was now $24 million, up on the original $16m flagged in the Waipa¯ District Council’s 2015-25 long term plan.
Since then, the pool plan had changed to include extra features requested by the public.
There had been setbacks such as unexpected remedial work on the 50m outdoor pool.
A natural spring appeared near the new toddler pool and groundwater issues were caused by the need to reschedule work around Covid-19 alert levels.
The pandemic brought work on the pool to a halt for five weeks in 2020, when it was supposed to be completed, and caused delays on building materials from suppliers.
The council said the total revised budget was $24.712m which included main contract work and work on the 50m pool
($21,012m); contract management, design and consents ($3.435m) and council costs (staff, communications $263,975).
The council said yesterday, the total spend to date was
$20,653,049 and the pool was now
90 per cent completed. It planned a $15.833m loan to help finance the project and its extra costs.
The council said favourable interest rates meant the work could be accounted for without having to levy extra rates from property owners in the district.
Other funds in the budget to meet the $24m cost included
$1.8m from external funding and
$6.333m raised from asset sales. It would generate $150,000 from development fees and
$75,000 was from ‘‘special reserves’’.
The 50m pool was funded from asset sales and external funding from the Waipa¯ Community Facilities Trust, to the tune of
$521,000.
Work was finished on the
25-metre indoor pool, toddler pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna and spa pool.
The majority of work was also finished on the outdoor 50-metre pool and children’s splash pad. The remaining work included internal fixings, painting, installing floor coverings and preparing the pools and machine room for commissioning.
Work was also underway on landscaping at the front of the building on Williams St in Cambridge.
Waipa¯ Mayor Jim Mylchreest said all going well, the pool was on track to open in April.
‘‘We are very close to the finish line now and can’t wait to share this incredible facility with Waipa¯ residents who have been waiting a long time for it.’’
Mylchreest said following the physical completion of the facility, the keys would be handed to GoWaipa to fit out the facility and prepare it for operation.
‘‘Once the building has been handed over, GoWaipa will be undertaking staff training and getting the lifeguards certified for the facility.
‘‘They’ll also need to set up the customer service systems and the reception area, install IT systems and fit out the furniture throughout the facility in preparation for opening.’’
Mylchreest said while this was underway, the final asphalting on Williamson St, outside the pool, would also take place, adding the finishing touches to the area.
Work on the Cambridge pool redevelopment began in 2018. The council had been running a bus service to transport people to the Livingstone Aquatic Centre in Te Awamutu during the summer months.
People can stay up to date with progress on the pool by visiting: www.waipadc.govt.nz/ cambridgepool