Council has begun preparatory work for the major heating upgrade at the Hokitika Swimming Pool, marking an important step towards ensuring the facility’s long-term sustainability and reducing ongoing operating costs.
The Hokitika Swimming Pool is a valued community asset that supports recreation, learn-to-swim programmes, school activities, and community wellbeing. Council is excited to see this important project come to fruition.
The project has been divided into four stages, with Stage One already underway. This initial phase includes general maintenance work such as emptying the pool and repairing the lining before the upgrade.
Council is also bringing forward a planned project to replace the ridge iron on the roof and give it a fresh coat of paint, ensuring this work can be completed while the pool is closed and avoiding any future inconvenience to users.
Stage Two will begin in late August and will involve electrical upgrades, ducting installation, and the necessary pipework before the new heat pump system can be installed.
Council made the decision to close the pool due to the unaffordable cost of diesel required for heating. At the time, we made a commitment to monitor diesel prices to consider any opportunities to reopen the pool. Encouragingly, diesel prices have eased in recent weeks, allowing us to work towards a potential reopening of the swimming pool from the second week of September. The pool would continue to be heated using the existing diesel heating system while work to install the heat pumps continues.
We will continue to monitor fuel prices and confirm potential reopening arrangements closer to September.
Once the heat pump system has been installed, the project will move into Stage Three, which will require the pool to close for approximately two weeks to allow for testing and commissioning of the new equipment. Following successful commissioning, the pool will reopen with the new heating system fully operational.
The final stage of the project will take place between January and February 2027 and will involve external works, including the installation and commissioning of a new air handling unit. This work will further enhance the efficiency and performance of the facility.
Council will provide further information, including potential reopening dates, closer to September and as the project progresses.