Pool’s future uncertain as $6 million bill looms
The future of a 40-year-old Waikato swimming facility is in limbo after it failed to meet earthquake standards, and it could cost up to $6 million to bring it up to scratch.
The Matamata-Piako District Council is now deciding on the complex’s future after the indoor pool, changing rooms and spa were closed in late April.
Swim Zone Matamata needs an entirely new roof system, from the foundations up, and other parts of the sports centre are also at risk in an earthquake.
What started out as a $1.5m project has escalated into a project that would cost between $3m and $6m and council isn’t sure if that much money should be spent on a facility coming to its end of life.
The complex was built over a period of 30 to 40 years from the 1960s and the current indoor roof was finished in the late 1980s. The life expectancy of a pool is about 50 years, so the pool tanks have about another 10 years.
Council’s business support group manager Manaia Te Wiata said council can extend the life of the pool but, over time, things change.
‘‘While it has served the community well, the Matamata indoor pool is not able to provide the same experience as modern pools,’’ Te Wiata said.
‘‘The outdoor dive and toddler pools are the oldest in the facility and this has also led us to look at what is needed in the longer term.’’
Whatever is decided will require a big investment, he said, and council needs to weigh up all the options.
‘‘Realistically we could be without a dedicated indoor pool for at least a few years but we are committed to providing an all-year-round swimming option for the community.’’
From June 2019 to July 2020, 1543 swimmers used the pools. By the following year, that number jumped to 4750.
Numbers have dropped since the indoor pool closure, and the weather had a part to play there, Te Wiata said.
Legally, if a building was found to be a priority or high risk after detailed seismic assessments then the owner has 12 months to carry out improvements.
The facility could operate as normal, however, Te Wiata said the community expects public buildings to be compliant.
‘‘We are also conscious that other organisations are affected by this.
‘‘We have a squash club, gym and swim school also operating from the facility and we do not want them to close as a result.’’
Investigations are also under way to find out if removing the indoor pool roof will help reduce the risk level for the rest of the facility’s structure, and if any strengthening can be done to improve the squash area, he said.
The indoor pool roof will be removed in the coming months, the pool painted and transformed into an outdoor pool, available for summer use.
In the meantime, council has filled and heated the dive pool and the outdoor changing rooms are in use.
Shortly, council will move the pool reception from the car park entrance to the Meura St side gate, as an indoor option won’t be available for some time.