Covid plays havoc with Cambridge Pool
Challenges partly as a result of Covid-19 have forced Waipa District Council to review the opening date of the Cambridge pool.
The much-anticipated pool is 70 per cent complete, but construction issues, exacerbated by the pandemic, mean Council is now predicting the pool will be open to the public by March 2021 at the earliest.
The pool project has experienced significant setbacks and challenges since construction first commenced in December 2018. But Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the 2020 construction season had been “one setback after another”, causing delays and increased costs.
“There has been a lot of challenges, some of which could have been anticipated and some not. These have been made much worse by Covid which saw work come to a halt for five weeks in April with ongoing impacts ever since. We’ve had building materials delayed from both local and international suppliers,” he said.
“On top of that, there was unexpected work required on the existing outdoor 50m pool, and contractors were forced to grapple with a natural spring that appeared by the toddler pool. Groundwater issues have also wreaked havoc due to revised programming and scheduling of works as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.”
Even at Alert Level 3, regulations required contractors and subcontractors to work in different zones and bubbles, which had a massive impact on productivity.
“Alert Level 2 also requires physical distancing, and in this type of build there is very little difference between Alert Level 2 and 3 restrictions. Our contractors were making good progress, but with loss of productivity, and groundwater increased during autumn and winter, that’s pushed out works across the site,” he said.
“In summary, there’s been a chain of interlinked events which have combined to make things worse. It’s the last thing any of us wanted but it is what it is and we just have to be upfront, tell people and deal with it.”
On a positive note, streetscaping works have been completed on Williamson Street with only final asphalt yet to do.
While pool builds are complex by nature, Mylchreest said major capital projects had been and were still being impacted by COVID-19 across the country, causing delays and increased costs.
The current Cambridge pool budget sits at $23 million, almost $1.7 million over budget, which has been included in Council’s current annual plan. It includes the construction of the facility, design and project management costs, but will not account for any further restrictions imposed on-site due to Covid lockdown.
“While these are extraordinary times, it’s extremely frustrating, not just for the community but also for Councillors. We’re itching to get this pool open for people,” he said.
“We are absolutely hoping for favourable weather conditions over the next few months, and we can minimise disruption to works on-site as a result of COVID-19 Alert Levels. But that’s out of our hands and I’m reluctant to provide an opening date that can’t be delivered.”
Once construction is completed, the pool will be handed over to Go Waipā for fit out and commissioning. This will include installation of furniture, fittings and equipment, and training for staff.
50-60 jobs will be created including lifeguards, swimming instructors and management and administrative staff.
Once completed, the new pool complex will include an upgrade of the existing 50m outdoor pool, a new 25m 10-lane indoor pool and learner’s / hydrotherapy pool, spa and sauna and a children’s splash pad.
There will be increased seating and a community room as well as car-parking and landscaping.
“While the delay and costs are disappointing, this is going to be a high quality complex and a fantastic asset for our community to enjoy for generations,” said Mylchreest.
For up to date information on the pool project head to waipadc.govt.nz/cambridgepool.
