Work to begin on upgrade of Wellington's Keith Spry Pool

Work on the $6 million upgrade of the Keith Spry Pool in the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville will start on 13th June following the signing of a contract with Hawkins Construction.

The work is seen as an indication of Wellington City Council's determination to invest in facilities and infrastructure to serve the growing population in the northern suburbs.

Works will see the existing pool building, dating from the early 1980s, expanded by about 50% in terms of floor area to feature:

• A new 11 metre x 12 metre learn-to-swim pool with depths between 750 mm and 900 mm;

• A new 11 metre x 14 metre play pool for children and infants with depths between 0 mm and 700 mm;

• A striking glass and steel building extension, designed by Architecture HDT, which will house both new pools;

• New changing rooms, cantilevered over the car park to the south of the pool;

• A new steel roof to replace the existing asbestos roof on the main pool building.

Council Sports and Events Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Morrison, and the Community Facilities Portfolio Leader, Justin Lester, both say it is great news that real progress is being made on the pool.

Councillor Lester, also a Northern Ward councillor, says work on the pool was unfortunately delayed earlier this year when the Council's preferred contractor, Mainzeal, was placed in receivership.

He explained that "we're back on track now and locals will see work get quickly under way."

Councillor Morrison says the start of work on the pool is expected to be followed later this year by the scheduled start of work on a full-size artificial turf sports field at nearby Alex Moore Park the sixth such turf to be opened in the city since 2009.

Councillor Morrison added "Alex Moore is well-known to sportspeople from all over the region it's an accessible ground, close to the mall and close to public transport."

The Council has also committed to keep the community fully informed about the project and its impact with two community briefings planned for this week (being held on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th May at the Johnsonville Community Centre) and letter-drops, email updates, community posters and press releases to be used to provide updates on the project.

The existing pool will remain open for as long as possible during the upgrade - prior to the replacement of the roof.

4th February 2013 - WELLINGTON OPENS THREE NEWS POOLS