26 August, 2011

Selwyn Aquatic Centre expressions of interest out

Designs for Selwyn’s first new indoor year-round aquatic facility are nearing completion and the Selwyn District Council is now calling for companies interested in tendering for the $13.7million project.

The Tenderlink website calls for expressions of interest by mid-September from companies interested in building the Selwyn Aquatic Centre. Shortlisted companies will then be chosen to put forward tenders, Project Manager Kerry Newell of Davis Langdon says.

“We will appoint the successful tenderer by the end of October and it would be our expectation that building would commence pretty quickly after that,” Mr Newell says.

“We’ve received several expressions of interest, including one from Australia. This large construction job comes at a very opportune time for many companies – particularly those firms that have been geared up and waiting for earthquake rebuild work which may not happen for months yet,” he says.

Selwyn Aquatic Centre Steering Group Chair Cr Sarah Walters says it’s been exciting to work with leading Canterbury architectural firm Warren and Mahoney on the designs for the new facility.

“The designs look great and emphasise the use of materials natural to the Selwyn District We’ve been very conscious of creating a facility that will work for our forecasted growing population, and we believe this is an appropriately sized facility for our community now. Plus it’s able to be expanded. This is in no way a “Rolls Royce” facility, but it is state of the art and will serve Selwyn well,” Cr Walters says.

“It’s been an incredible project to be involved with to date – every element has been well-managed in a very robust process. At this stage they’re completely on track with both the timetable and the budget,” Cr Walters says.

The Goulds Rd/Broadlands Drive, Rolleston, facility will feature an 8 lane, 25 metre pool with walk in ramp access, hydrotherapy pool with spa area, Learn to Swim pool and Leisure pool in a naturally lit, warm, safe environment where swimmers of all ages and ability can participate throughout their lives.

Council Aquatic Facilities Manager Kathy Moore says provision for people with disabilities has been paramount to the project and most of the pools have walk-in access. Another feature is approximately $340,000 in energy efficiency-related design aspects.

“These features will pay for themselves within five years, due to energy savings and then make continued savings on into the future life of the facility,” Mrs Moore says.

Costs incurred in getting the project underway came to around $500,000 last year and the Council’s budget for the current financial year is around $7million in costs, with the balance of $6.2million in the subsequent year, the Council Corporate Accountant Greg Bell says.

“It’s prudent for the Council to collect rates now, otherwise the project would be left with a deficit on opening. The rate is built on averaging costs over a number of years and if the introduction of the rate was delayed it would impact on rates in subsequent years,” Mr Bell says.

ENDS

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