| 49 COMMUNITY Apollo Projects: Wai O Rua Stratford Aquatic Centre A ‘sophisticated facility’ The project was the result of the Council’s 2018 long-term plan when a suggestion was made to put a new shell over the existing pool. Sven says the community made it clear that it favoured a new facility being built. from page 46 “Stratford’s Te Reo Māori name Whakaahurangi means to look upon the stars. This is based in the story of tupuna Ruaputahanga lying down to rest near where the Kopuatama Cemetery is located today, gazing up to the stars. Rua also means ‘two’ and along with our two tupuna, this also links to the two waterways that the Stratford community draws water from, being the Konini Stream and the Pātea River. Furthermore, the meaning of the name Wai o Rua lends itself well to the design of the pool, with the two peak shaped windows on the north side of the facility allowing users not only to look towards the mountain, but to also to gaze upon the stars. The project was the result of the Council’s 2018 long-term plan when a suggestion was made to put a new shell over the existing pool. Sven says the community made it clear that it favoured a new facility being built. Wai O Rua Stratford Aquatic Centre will offer a 25m competition pool, learn to swim pool with variable depth, pool that allows for hydrotherapy as well as lane walking and other activities and a zero depth splash pad with a small shallow pool next to it so children can progress through the various stages of learning to swim. Located in Portia Street next door to a multisport facility it will become a hub for sports in Stratford and offer potential for future development. The project has been funded by financial support from the Provincial Development Fund, Taranaki Electricity Trust and Toi Foundation. It has been constructed by Apollo Projects and company project manager Larry Osborn says the Taranaki winter was the key challenge. After ground was broken in March, sunny weather turned to 21 days of rain in April and then more rain in May. Covid also threw some difficulties at the project and saw it put two weeks behind schedule at one point along with logistical challenges around products as the pool system was imported from the United States and the wall cladding from Israel and Australia. But Larry says that good forward planning and procurement helped mitigate any setbacks to keep the project on schedule. This included establishing a large yard near the site so materials could be purchased far in advance and stored. Ground works were also started before the design had been completed due to a short timeline between award and commencement. While some specialised trades from out of the region were required, Larry says the priority was on engaging local contractors where possible. At peak the project had around 50 workers on site. Sven says that having Apollo Projects as a single point of contact has worked well and facilitated a healthy, positive and productive relationship between Council and Apollo Projects, which has assisted project delivery. Wai O Rua Stratford Aquatic Centre is earmarked to open to the public in October. “If you compare Wai O Rua to our old pool it is such a sophisticated modern facility. I’m really proud that despite the challenges of the pandemic we’ve kept this project on budget and on track time-wise. It shows the incredible skill and extreme depth of experience of the whole team.” Industrial, Commercial &Dairy Refrigeration Service Engineered Cooling & Heating Solutions. Projects large or small Local Servicewith Nationwide support froma 100%NZ owned business. www.activerefrigeration.co.nz 24 Hour Service Phone 06 281 1582 Residential Rural Commercial Give us a call today 06 769 6866 PO Box 160, Taranaki Mail Centre, New Plymouth 4340 www.brentstewart.co.nz Excited to be the company chosen to build the new aquatic center Office: 06 755 2204 • Mobile: 0276644794 • Email: cole@eloc.co.nz Taranaki's leading masonry company, specialising in commercial and architectural projects. MASONRY Ltd
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