8 | Dunedin City Council / Cook Brothers Construction: Mosgiel Pool New pool complex set to make a splash Russell Fredric REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 027 405 9101 blair@jacobsconstruction.co.nz It should come as no surprise if some Mosgiel residents are found walking on water when their new aquatic complex opens early next year. After tolerating a nearly century-old pool that was not heated until 1967, that was open air until 1982 and open for only seven months of the year, the community is counting down the days until the facility is opened, Dunedin City Council parks and recreation manager, Scott MacLean says. “The community are really, really excited about it and looking forward to it. The [old] facility was struggling to cope with the demand.” “One of the really good things is that the pool is going to be open year round, which they haven’t had in Mosgiel before, that’s going to be really great. I have no doubt that it’s going to attract some visitors from over the hill here in Dunedin.” The pool project has been a big undertaking for Mosgiel, which has a population of around 14,700 residents. “Actual and projected population growth supported the need for a new facility and that was outlined in a business case which was developed to support the project.” The aquatic centre is a joint project between the DCC, the Taieri Community Facilities Trust and the Mosgiel community with the trust contributing $4 million towards the $19.2 million total cost. “We’ve worked really closely with the trust and the Mosgiel/Taieri Community Board and there’s been a great deal of community input and fundraising.” The aquatic centre is a great legacy project for Mosgiel, Scott says. “These sorts of developments are intergenerational, they’re here to be enjoyed for plenty of time to come.” The facility will be fully accessible and will include an eight-lane 25-metre pool and hydrotherapy, leisure pool with toddler’s area, learn to swim and spa pools. Other facilities will include family and accessible changing rooms and a meeting/multi-use community space. Its car park will include e-vehicle and e-bike charging stations. DCC has collaborated with Aukaha, a Rūnaka-owned consultancy service, on opportunities to weave cultural elements into the design and look of the building. The DCC’s commitment to the community has included minimising disturbance to surrounding residents and ensuring they receive regular information on how the project is progressing. Cook Bros has a design and build contract which was confirmed in December 2020 with construction starting September last year and the opening forecast about May next year. Despite the challenges faced in the construction industry, Scott has a high degree of confidence of this target being met, especially as Cook Bros had ordered materials well ahead of when needed. “They’ve [also] managed the site really well through the Omicron outbreak, they haven’t had any major labour issues with people getting sick and isolating. At the moment we’re not thinking we are going to overrun. “Everything changes so rapidly, but we are on schedule.” Despite the interest that will likely be generated, Dunedin residents will not be neglected. The city’s long-established Moana Pool is set for some upgrades which includes the replacement of its hydroslides in the next two or three years.
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