Work advances on Kaikoura’s new post-earthquake pool

Driven by the commitment of hardworking volunteers, the new public swimming pool complex at Kaikoura on New Zealand’s South Island is on track for completion in April.

With the community’s former facility irreparably damaged by the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, the Kaikoura Community Charitable Trust has moved forward in leading a $3.7 million fund-raising drive that will deliver a 25 metre lane pool, a 10 metre learn-to-swim and hydrotherapy pool, and a splashpad with play equipment for children.

Showers, changing rooms, tiered seating and a barbecue area are all included in the design.

With construction delayed by pre-Christmas rains, Trust member Toni Batey told New Zealand news website Stuff “we won't be opening it up for swimming till the warmer weather in spring, but we want to celebrate a job well done with a ceremony of some sort in April.

“There will be something for everyone; our seniors and people with disabilities will be able to exercise gently, serious swimmers have the lap pool and there's the toddlers' pool and splash pad for the kids.”

Advising that the Trust would be meeting early next month to discuss how the pool would operate, Batey stated “with the old … pool, there was one paid position, and that may be what we do with the new complex."

The new facility is located on recreation reserve behind Kaikoura's rubbish depot.

However, Kaikōura District Council is making plans to close and cap the landfill and redesign the Innovative Waste resource recovery centre this year.

The community, the Council, Rata Foundaton, Lotteries and the New Zealand Government through the Provincial Growth Fund have all contributed massively to the pools project.

Batey added “the next fundraising effort - if the community wants it - will be to enclose the pools and make it an all-year-round facility, but that's a big project and we will be taking a bit of a breather in the meantime.”

Click here for more information on the project.

Images: How the pool will look when complete (top) and work on the site this month (below). Credit: Facebook/Kaikoura Aquatic Centre.