Roof Cover & Associated Upgrades Project - updated 30 March 23
The Trust, with support from the Western BoP District Council and other funding organisations, has embarked on a project to cover the main pool, with a double skin, insulated fabric cover, approx 8m tall, with roll up access on both sides, to enable all year round swimming and learn to swim lessons.
We won't know when construction will commence until a contractor has been appointed and their programme received.
The project will also include lining both pools with a specialised pvc liner (instead of painting), constructing a 1.5m wide fixed bulkhead at the 25m mark, to separate the indoor learn to swim area from the lap pool and upgrades to various plant and equipment, so that the facility is geared for the next 20 years.
The Council has now called for tenders from two companies who have the expertise to design and build the cover. Tenders close on 27 April 23. The evaluation process, which is very involved (two representatives from the Trust will be on the evaluation panel) is expected to be completed by the end of May and a contract signed at the end of June 23.
We won't know when construction will commence until a contractor has been appointed and their programme received.
The project will also include lining both pools with a specialised pvc liner (instead of painting), constructing a 1.5m wide fixed bulkhead at the 25m mark, to separate the indoor learn to swim area from the lap pool and upgrades to various plant and equipment, so that the facility is geared for the next 20 years.
The Council has now called for tenders from two companies who have the expertise to design and build the cover. Tenders close on 27 April 23. The evaluation process, which is very involved (two representatives from the Trust will be on the evaluation panel) is expected to be completed by the end of May and a contract signed at the end of June 23.
The Trust wishes to acknowledge the following support for the project (GST excluded):
Western BoP District Council
$1,340,000
$1,340,000
Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT)
$650,000
BayTrust $200,000
Note that further fund raising is underway to reach a total of $3.3M.
$650,000
BayTrust $200,000
Note that further fund raising is underway to reach a total of $3.3M.
Explanation
The idea of a bulkhead has been around for a very long time but it wasn't in the original roof cover project we are now pursuing.
Because the Trust sees learning to swim programmes as a key part of its core mission, it tried every which way to include the existing outdoor learners pool inside the roof cover but it proved to be far too costly and very likely to run foul of a resource consent because of its height (15m) and hence very likely not to appeal to other funders.
Therefore the only way to have a 34 degree learners pool inside the cover was by having a bulkhead at the 25m mark. This would allow all year round learn to swim lessons and an important revenue source for the pool. The 25m lap pool is a NZ standard length.
In addition, the Trust is investigating the possibility of using the indoor learners pool as a dual use hydrotherapy and learn to swim pool. Again, there is a need for a local hydrotherapy pool and the extra revenue would be helpful.
How is the bulkhead funded if not in the original project?
The difference in cost from budget to a different liner and the savings from not having to erect a sizable outdoor shelter have meant the bulkhead cost would be met from within the project budget.
The idea of a bulkhead has been around for a very long time but it wasn't in the original roof cover project we are now pursuing.
Because the Trust sees learning to swim programmes as a key part of its core mission, it tried every which way to include the existing outdoor learners pool inside the roof cover but it proved to be far too costly and very likely to run foul of a resource consent because of its height (15m) and hence very likely not to appeal to other funders.
Therefore the only way to have a 34 degree learners pool inside the cover was by having a bulkhead at the 25m mark. This would allow all year round learn to swim lessons and an important revenue source for the pool. The 25m lap pool is a NZ standard length.
In addition, the Trust is investigating the possibility of using the indoor learners pool as a dual use hydrotherapy and learn to swim pool. Again, there is a need for a local hydrotherapy pool and the extra revenue would be helpful.
How is the bulkhead funded if not in the original project?
The difference in cost from budget to a different liner and the savings from not having to erect a sizable outdoor shelter have meant the bulkhead cost would be met from within the project budget.