11 December 2009
Aquatic Centre Trust on track

Following a briefing of the Council by the Kapiti Aquatic Centre Trust, Mayor Jenny Rowan said today she was pleased to be able to report the Trust is making progress and is on track with options and designs.

“The Trust has raised around $2 million so far which is a good effort in these difficult times,” she said.

The Trust demonstrated to the Council that there were various ways the design of the Aquatic Centre on its new site behind the Paraparaumu Library could be adjusted to fit within the available budget.

Chair of the Trust, Neil MacKay said building of the centre could also be staged which meant there was considerably more flexibility than originally thought.

“Providing we make allowance over time for extra stages to increase the size and the offerings for the centre, we can start with a smaller stage and build on from there as fund raising and/or sponsorship allows,” he said.

“It’s good news,” Jenny Rowan said, “that the Trust now has around $2 million. Adding this to the Council’s commitment to provide the land and $10.5 million means we’re very close to being able to start work on the first stage.

“At the briefing yesterday it was agreed further work would be carried out on the options while the Trust continues fund raising. By February next year the Council expects to be in a position to make a final decision on the options and the construction programme based on the Trust’s progress with fund raising.

“It’s expected the detailed design work will take around five to six months and we should be in a position to let tenders on the first stage around August with a construction start before the end of the calendar year.

“This is good news for Christmas,” Jenny Rowan said.

ends

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