5 November 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Hemo Sculpture

Enquiry

Just emailing as I think it would be a good idea to do an update on the Hemo Sculpture for print given its eta is still late spring, and we are now in what you might call late spring.

Can you provide any updated information on the sculpture?

Our last story was three months ago when it was being constructed at Kilwell Fibretube and before than March.

So questions as follows:

- When will the sculpture be installed?

- Has construction of the sculpture been finished?

- What needs to happen in order for the installation to occur? eg traffic, weather etc.

- Is the cost of the making and installing the sculpture still $743,029? As reported in March?

Finally, it would be great to get an updated photo of where the sculpture is at in terms of being put together.

Do we need to make any special arrangements to get that or can we just go to Kilwell and take a photo from outside?

Further clarification request:

Also, I note the part about council's contribution towards the sculpture remaining the same, but is the total cost of the making and installing the sculpture still $743,029? As reported in March?

Response

The following information was provided:

As advised in October the inner helix, which you can see from the road in Kilwell's parking area, is now up. Construction of the outer helix is progressing. The team at Kilwell are working through an issue with the alignment of a section of the outer helix but are working to complete it as close to the end of spring as they can.

Moving the sculpture to Hemo roundabout requires aligning the timing for road closure, calm weather and the availability of the transport helicopter. Pinpointing a date for installation will depend on those three factors coming together. Just to reiterate that these aspects are out of Council's control. The traffic management aspect is managed by NZTA as owner of the State Highway. They will determine the safest, least disruptive date for the installation of the sculpture. The private transport helicopter also needs to be available and obviously, the weather is up to Mother Nature.

There will be no change to Council's contribution towards the sculpture from the amount reported back in March of $388,000.

Further information provided as clarification:

We can confirm that the budget has not changed from what was reported in March.

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Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Aquatic Centre improvements

Enquiry

I've just seen your update on your Facebook page about the aquatic centre and had a few additional questions.

1. Our story in February said the manu pool and hydroslide were part of the plans presented to the council. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/live-in-rotorua/news/article.cfm?c_id=1504072&objectid=12201539. The update posted today said the work to upgrade the pool and facilities needs to happen first. Does that mean that that upgrade work is now more extensive than first thought and will use all the funds allocated ($7.5 million) and the hydroslide and dive bomb pool will have to happen after that? Or am I reading it wrong?
2. Given dive bomb pool and hydroslide attracted a lot of local interest, can you please be more specific about the timeline for that now? Will it be within 3 years or longer?
3. If there is a delay for dive bomb pool and hydroslide, will more funding be needed?
4. Regarding the timelines, the update posted today says the outdoor pool will upgraded in winter, does that mean winter next year? It says the indoor pools will take about four months and will be done late spring to autumn (so over summer?). Is that this summer? If so, does that mean the indoor pools at Aquatic Centre will be closed completely for use or partially this summer?
5. How will jobs be affected over the scheduled closures?

Response

From Henry Weston, Group Manager Operations:

"Since the initial concept plans and project proposals were presented to elected members in February, Council staff together with CLM and a user advisory group have been working to develop a plan for the upgrades at the Aquatic Centre. This has included thorough investigations into the current state of the facility.

The vision for the Aquatic Centre is to see a dedicated learner pool, a bomb pool, hydroslides, a gym, caf and extra play and recreational facilities but it will need partnership funding to make it all happen. The first priority has to be the repairs to get the current facility up to a standard that will attract that investment. Our first repairs needed will therefore be the roof and the 50m pool.

We know there won't be a perfect time to carry out upgrades but we are fortunate that the centre has multiple pools meaning there will always be two pools available while the third is out of commission. The project team will also ensure that pool closures don't clash with other closures at other regional pools.

Although exact timing is yet to be confirmed, we are excited to see the improvements to what we consider a very important community asset. The upgrades will not only bring the centre up to a safe, modern and fit-for-purpose facility for our community, but they will build upon the positive results already shown by the work CLM is doing at the pools."

Information only - not to be used as quotes:

• There is no 'delay' as you have described in your questions. Other than the three year staged funding outline in the Long-term Plan, no timeframes have been communicated for this project. In yesterday's update we described the optimal timing for work but as stated, a start date won't be confirmed until the final plans are developed. Timing also depends on factors such as contractor and resource availability.
• As stated in Rotorua Daily Post's story in February, the plans presented to elected members were draft redevelopment designs and initial concept plans. It was communicated clearly to elected members at that time that there was a priority list for the $7.5m funding and that the works would depend on thorough investigations into the facility. The repair to the roof and the 50m pool were top of that priority list.
• The 2018-2028 Long-term Plan sets out that priority list as described by the project team in the presentation to elected members. Council's priority is to take the necessary first steps of the redevelopment to bring the facility up to the standard expected from our community and match existing needs. It is important that the facility meets modern safety codes, is fit-for-purpose and future-proofed. This first stage of investment is critical to serve our community and attract investor interest for subsequent stages.
• The extras such as the bomb pool, hydroslides, gym etc are not being ruled out. If more investment is secured early on it could happen within the same timeframe as the repairs. The project team are also looking at alternative options at the facility to add extra 'fun' activities to the space in the meantime.
• Re will staff be affected: Throughout the planning of works there has been nothing that would affect staff working hours. The plan is to keep two of the three main pool areas open during the works. Closing one pool will shift our normal operations into a smaller area so normal staff levels will be needed to accommodate this. There may be times when staff levels can operate more efficiently however, that would be worked alongside anyone that wants to take annual leave or work at other facilities if staff choose that option. Helpful links:
• 2018-2028 Long-term Plan Aquatic Centre redevelopment (page 21)
• Vision to Action website - Rotorua Aquatic Centre

May 2019 update - interviews with geotechnical specialists