Friday 12 August 2011

Milton Pool changing room contract awarded

Clutha District Council has awarded the contract for construction of the new changing rooms at the Milton Swimming Pool to Milton-based Calder Stewart Industries Ltd.

The contract is for the construction of new male and female changing rooms and also incorporates a new unisex family changing room into the new layout. It follows a number of complaints in recent years that the previous changing rooms (which have since been demolished) were too cold and in a general state of disrepair.

The contract was awarded for a sum of $599,978 + GST, in line with the Engineer’s Estimate.

Manager District Assets Jules Witt said Council received a total of five tenders for the project ranging in price from $562,800 to $653,000.

While Calder Stewart’s tender was not the lowest price received, it was based on a 14-week construction period rather than a 20-week construction period, so was therefore the best value option to Council.

Mr Witt said this meant that the construction of the new changing rooms was expected to be completed by early December. 

Meanwhile, work is also progressing on the major upgrade of the Balclutha Swimming Pool.

The $3.5 million upgrade of the Balclutha Pool includes:

• Replacement of the old asbestos roof and walls.

• Reconfiguration of the current Learner’s Pool to provide a better and safer area for toddlers with a shallower ‘beach’ pool.

• Upgraded changing rooms to make them more family friendly.

• Renewal of the heating and ventilation system.

• Upgraded pool entrance.

Council is looking to the community to fundraise an additional $169,000 for two further upgrade components:

• A therapeutic pool designed for use including the relief of tired and aching muscles, rehabilitation and relaxation.

• A fibreglass bulkhead that would separate the main pool into a 25m pool for lane swimming etc, and a new learner’s area.

Mr Witt said it was important to note that without the additional funding required for the bulkhead, there would not be a dedicated learner’s pool.

At this stage, it is expected the Balclutha Pool will reopen by mid-March 2012.

ENDS