Hanmer Springs adopt green approach to installing new thermal pools

To protect their much-loved Redwood trees, the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa resort has taken a unique approach to the construction of five new thermal pools.

With work underway on the new pools - which will sit among river boulder terraces and native gardens - on what is currently a grassed area next to the Rainbow Pools, General Manager Graeme Abbot says unlike all the other pools in the complex, these pools will sit on timber piles.

Abbot advises “we have a number of 90 year old giant Redwood trees near the complex and digging these pools into the ground could have damaged their root systems.

"That wasn’t an option so we’re carefully installing more than 280 timber piles for the pools to sit on top of.”

Abbot says this approach has added around $50,000 to the project’s budget, but it’s money well spent, commenting “it’s a small price to pay really. Our natural surroundings are a big part of what makes this place special, and we’re dedicated to protecting that.”

Abbot says the new pools have been designed to offer a relaxing and natural experience, adding "they’ll be a popular place for visitors to sit and soak in our famous mineral-rich waters, listening to the sounds of the water cascading down waterfalls, surrounded by native gardens and looking up at the towering Redwoods and, on a good day, a bright blue sky.

“Construction is already progressing well, and we hope to have the pools ready by October this year.”

The complex is also taking a sustainable approach to powering and operating the new pools.

Abbot concludes “half of the energy required to run the new pools will come from a heat transfer unit that will capture waste heat from our methane generator*. The pools are also designed to be super water efficient with no holding tanks. We’re pretty proud of this work."

Construction on a new 13.5 metre aquatic thrill ride is also expected to start in a few weeks.

*The new 65kw Capstone micro turbine generator converts previously wasted methane gas (from an old gas bore and a thermal deep water bore) into electricity. It is the only generator of its type in New Zealand and won the Innovation category of this year’s EECA Awards.