Start date set for Alpine Aqualand ceiling repair

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Sport and Recreation team is forging ahead with plans for a long-term repair of the ceiling at Alpine Aqualand, the swimming facility at Queenstown Events Centre, ahead of a decision on the project’s budget due at the Full Council Meeting on 27 June.

If Council approves a recommendation to allocate $2.3 million for tile replacement and ventilation improvements as part of the 2019-2020 Annual Plan, Alpine Aqualand will temporarily close on Monday 30 September for a period of approximately three months.

All other facilities at Queenstown Events Centre including Alpine Health and Fitness gym and group fitness studios, sports fields and the indoor stadium would remain operating as normal.

QLDC Sport and Recreation Manager, Simon Battrick said the team was working hard to minimise disruption to all pool users.

“Council still has to discuss our recommended approach and budget but we’re determined to hit the ground running if we’re given the go ahead. The proposed closure date is based on the minimum three-month lead time to procure key items from overseas and coincides with the end of Term 3 so there would be a natural break in our Swim School classes and regular programmes,” he said.

“We’ve developed a project plan in consultation with specialist contractors that will make the best use of time, resources and the skills of our aquatics team to keep any closure to a minimum. By scheduling different phases of the overall project and allocating resources intelligently we’re confident we can reopen Alpine Aqualand in time for the busy summer holiday period.”

“In addition to the ceiling repair we’ll take the opportunity to replace the linings of the lap and leisure pools, lay new flooring with an improved surface in the pool building and work on the hydroslides. This will remove the need for our annual pool shutdown usually held in May for routine maintenance and a thorough clean, so the community can keep on swimming through that period,” said Mr Battrick.

Preliminary discussions have already taken place between QLDC Sport and Recreation management and regular users of Alpine Aqualand including Queenstown Swim Club and local schools.

In addition, the aquatics team has been investigating possible alternative solutions, including heating options for Arrowtown Memorial Pool.

“Arrowtown has always been a summer pool and we know from last year that it’s simply too cold to open much before its normal date in December. However, we’re looking at how we might be able to heat the pool, and more importantly retain this heat, earlier in spring. We recognise the necessity to balance the needs of our active community with the obvious financial constraints of any alternative solution, none of which could ever be a direct substitute for a large multi-pool facility like Alpine Aqualand,” said Mr Battrick.

“There is no easy or cheap fix but we are committed to implementing a long-term solution that will have everyone back swimming as soon as possible.”

Mr Battrick said QLDC Sport and Recreation will provide more information pending the outcome of next week’s Full Council Meeting.

ENDS

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

The earlier announcement about the proposed budget for the long-term repair can be found here.

Details of the November 2018 temporary closure can be found here.