Budget for new Stratford aquatic facility grows to $20 million

Stratford District Council's plans for a new aquatic centre have expanded with the new facility likely to include two or three smaller pools alongside a main eight-lane pool, with Councillors also deciding to include a toddler leisure pool and splash pad.

Agreed at the most recent meeting of the Council on New Zealand’s North Island, Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke and his fellow Councillors were asked to decide on the main components they wanted included in the design of the pool as well as other items if the budget allowed for additional extras.

As reported by the Stratford Press, the elected members were also asked to decide on the total budget for the new facility

As of May 2018, the Council agreed a budget of $15 million, with $12 million of that being funded by the Council and the remainder to be from external funding.

However, a new report written by Stratford District Council Special Projects Manager Neil Cooper advised that the project had secured additional funding, including $8 million from the New Zealand Government as part of funding for ‘shovel ready’ post COVID projects.

Mayor Volzke said there was still the potential of further external funding coming in for the pool, and with that came the possibility of including more design features in the final design.

As a result, Councillor agreed on a $20 million budget for the pool.

Councillors agreed on the design including a 25 metre, eight-lane main pool, along with a 20 x 15 m learn to swim pool and a hydrotherapy pool of the same size.

A toddler pool and splash pad were also included in the list of must haves along with as changing rooms, administration and staff spaces and a first aid room as well as a room to be used for birthday parties.

With local swimming club requiring its own clubroom, Mayor Volzke advised "the contract we have with the swimming club is that they have their own clubroom. While they have allowed the space to be used for birthday parties over the past couple of years in the current pool, the indication we have from them at this stage is a preference for their own space in the new facility, not for a shared space."

The swimming club paid a yearly lease for the use of the clubroom, he said, which had been waived since the club began sharing the room with birthday party needs.

Mayor Volzke added “the original reason they had the clubroom was because the swimming club had contributed to the fundraising when the pool was built."

A gym and fitness space, a cafe and a spa pool have been agreed as potential additions for the project.