Apollo Projects appointed to rebuild Lower Hutt’s Naenae Pool

The design and construction of a new Olympic-sized swimming pool in Lower Hutt has been awarded to leading aquatic and sport centre building company, Apollo Projects.

With the previous pool at the site having been closed by Hutt City Council in April 2019 after being deemed earthquake prone (engineering reports gave it an overall rating of less than 34% according to New Zealand’s New Building Standard), the Council has set aside $68 million for the project.

Apollo Projects will work with Hutt City Council to develop the pool’s detailed design, ensuring the facility is innovative, energy efficient, and tailored to the community’s needs. This design will then form part of the tender process for construction materials, subcontractors and other resources required for the project.

Advising that the company is thrilled to be leading this important work for the Council and Naenae community, Apollo Projects Director, Paul Lloyd stated "modern sports centres and swimming pools are a real speciality for our team, and we’re delighted to be bringing our experience to this major rebuild.

"I’d like to thank Hutt City Council for this opportunity. We’re really looking forward to working with the Council team and local contractors to make this happen."

As part of the project, Apollo will make sure the Naenae community sees the economic benefits of the build, with 80% of the subcontracting work anticipated to go to local businesses.

Apollo Projects has delivered several leading aquatic centres around New Zealand, including Auckland’s SwimTastic swim school, the newly opened Te Pou Toetoe: Linwood Pool in Christchurch and the award-winning Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sports Centre.

Apollo is also currently building the Stratford Aquatic Centre, Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre, and Gisborne’s Kiwa Pools.

Hutt City Council Director of Neighbourhoods, Andrea Blackshaw added "Apollo Projects has significant experience in pool projects, and I’m pleased we have been able to engage them as part of the rebuild of Naenae Pool.

"This is another big step towards returning a pool to Naenae, so that people in the Hutt and across the region can enjoy the use of an Olympic size pool facility."

Image courtesy of Zoggs.