Good things take time and Stage Two of the Rotorua Aquatic Centre Revitalisation is no exception.
In just a few weeks the refurbished facility is expected to reopen to the public following its closure in November 2022.
The long-awaited refurbishment includes an upgrade to the indoor pool hall, reception and indoor changing room area.
The indoor facility of the Aquatic Centre was set to reopen early May but issues with some of the original buried pipework under both pools has been identified during inspections, adding a couple of additional weeks to the project timeline.
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.
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.
Contractors will complete the pipework re-lining of the leisure pool first so this, along with full changing room facilities, can be opened for tamariki and the public as soon as possible, with an early June open date expected. The main pool opening is expected to take place late June.
Rotorua Lakes Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure and Environment, Stavros Michael, says the indoor facility reopening has 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 already underway.
“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.”
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.
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 for the public to use in the meantime.
Further details around the exact timing for reopening of the indoor facility will be shared with the public as soon as this can be confirmed.
Read more about the Aquatic Centre Revitalisation here.
