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Rotorua Aquatic Centre: Opening of refurbished indoor facility delayed
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The opening of the refurbished Rotorua Aquatic Centre has been
delayed.
The indoor facility was due to reopen early this month after closing
in November 2022 for stage two of the centre's $23.45 million
refurbishment which included an upgrade to the indoor pool hall,
reception and indoor changing room area.
The outdoor 50-metre pool and outdoor changing facilities were
refurbished in stage one, which cost $3.9m and finished in 2021.
In a statement today, Rotorua Lakes Council said issues with some of
the original buried pipework under both pools had been identified
during inspections, adding a couple of additional weeks to the project
timeline.
The Rotorua Aquatic Centre indoor facility was due to reopen early
this month after closing in November 2022. Photo / Rotorua Lakes
Council
"Specialist contractors have been brought in to insert linings into
the pipes, which will allow them to continue to supply water to the
pools for years to come," the statement said.
"Due to the complexity of re-lining buried pipes, it is not completely
known how long the entire process will take but it is anticipated the
indoor facility will now reopen in a staged approach."
The council said contractors would complete the pipework re-lining of
the leisure pool first so this, along with full changing room
facilities, was now expected to open in early June with the main pool
expected to open in late June.
Rotorua Lakes Council's group manager Infrastructure and Environment,
Stavros Michael, said the indoor facility reopening had been highly
anticipated by the community.
"We are excited to be able to reopen the facility again soon. The
procurement of project management and design work on Stage Three is
also under way.
"Although this additional work will mean the opening is delayed by a
couple of weeks, we want to ensure that we do it right to deliver a
revitalised facility our community can be proud of."
The council's statement said: "due to the nature of the project, the
full extent of the pipework's condition could not be understood until
the indoor roof works and scaffolding removal were completed in late
February and retesting of pipework could be completed."
New roof going on the Rotorua Aquatic Centre. Photo / Rotorua Lakes
Council
"Further testing showed the existing pipework had degraded since
original testing was done in 2022.
"Council reviewed several options to remediate the affected pipes,
with pipework re-lining deemed the most practical, cost-effective
approach that allows the pools to be reopened as soon as possible."
The outdoor 50m heated pool remains open.
Stage three of the project could include hydro slide, bomb pool and an
improved cafe and gym but was dependent on future external funding and
subject to final council decisions.
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