Business Central February 2021

8 | Waipa District Council - Cambridge Pool REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Cambridge Pool years in the making Sue Russell Giving new life to the old Cambridge pool is a real highlight of the development for Waipa District Council Mayor Jim Mylchreest. 45B Duke Street, P.O. Box 8018, Hamilton Ph: 07 846 1995 www.modernconstruction.co.nz Proudly associated with Waipa District Council and the new Cambridge Pool Plumbing & Gasfitting Specialists 27 Cook Street, Cambridge, Waikato Email: office@cominsplumbing.co.nz Phone: 07 823 7263 Look Touch Impress 59 Ascot Road, Chartwell, Hamilton • 0508 832 48453 • www.techtile.co.nz Proud to be associated with the Cambridge Pool project Superior Shower System • Waterproo ng Large Panel Installation • Wall & Floor Tiling WavelengthWater Services Ltd. Supply and install water treatment plant in Cambridge new Community Pool 09 274 1646 info@wavelengthnz.co.nz www.wavelengthnz.co.nz Wavelength Water Services Ltd are proud to be part of the new community pool complex for Waipa DC. NZ owned company with over 15 years experience in design, install and commissioning of water/ wastewater in pools, industrial, potable, food & beverage and pharmaceutical. Backed by customer focused service team. Equipment supplier of Global brands Neptune Defender filters, Hanovia/Berson UV, Dosatronic Measure & control analysers, and more. Enquire above now for process solutions, equipment and/or projects. *not actual Defender Filters Dosatronic Measure & Control W aipā District Council Mayor, Jim Myl- chreest, says he can’t recall exactly how long planning for the new pool complex, on the site of the town’s old 50 yard pool, goes back. “It’s got to be a couple of decades and it’s been on again off again due mostly to cost issues,” Jim explains. One of the first issues for Council to over- come was a burning desire from the Cam- bridge community to retain the old pool they had worked so hard all those years ago to raise funds for. Coupled with this, Council was receiving best-practice advice concerning pool size. “We were told these large pools were une- conomic to operate and modern-day swim- ming complexes were moving toward smaller, specialised spaces, but that didn’t take into account the love the community had for their pool.” So with this understanding on board Coun- cil began in earnest to plan the new facility including a much-needed upgrade of the existing pool. The new facility includes a 25 metre 10-lane wide heated pool, effectively a square rather than the traditional rectangle of pools of the past. “The pool has been carefully designed for maximum use and has two distinct depths to it so it can be split down the middle and used, at the deeper end for water-polo,” Jim says. Along with this main pool, inside is a dedi- cated learn to swim for children, a hydrother- apy pool, and spa pool and a sauna. The large building housing these spaces is a major facil- ity in the town and one Council and residents are eagerly awaiting opening. The outdoor pool is also slightly heated. The biggest challenge, not surprisingly, has been working around Covid health and safety protocols. “Work on the site stopped completely on lockdown and we have been experiencing a delay in receiving products from overseas which has affected progress.” Asked what he considers to be the most important gains in building the Cambridge Swimming Pool facility Jim says two distinct things jump to mind. “It was really cool we could retain the old pool while building a modern complex that will serve the community and its growth for the next 40-50 years.” Jim describes his role as Mayor of Waipā District Council as full of challenges and positives. “Cambridge is one of the iconic towns in New Zealand.” The fact that his Council administers a dis- trict with two distinct large centres also brings its fair share of challenges. Jim says it’s a bit like experiencing Christmas with two children. “Both Cambridge and Te Awamutu residents are passionate about where they live and want resources to improve their towns. For Council it is always a balancing act to supply improvement to both towns.” Cambridge has grown in leaps and bounds, given the industrial activity it has attracted with its positioning so close to the Waikato Expressway. Jim says that Council has been preoccupied with upgrading infrastructure in both towns, with a planned $180million to be spent on capital works in 2021.