Tender Process Brings Pool A Step Closer

Tenders for Dargaville’s new 50 metre pool are expected to be ready for evaluation by the end of October.

They will be assessed and a recommendation concerning acceptance of one is likely to be made at the Kaipara District Council’s November meeting.

Seven companies expressed interest in the project and, following appraisal by the project’s architect, quantity surveyor and the Kauri Coast Community Pool Trust, four were invited to tender as main contractor.

“It was important to have companies with proven experience in large scale construction projects of this type and the four were chosen as they best demonstrated an ability to undertake the role of main contractor for a project of this scale,” says Trust Chairman Vern Stevens.

However, while only one has significant Kaipara connections, the Trust is insisting on as much local involvement as possible and sees a big opportunity for local firms to work alongside the successful tenderer.

“A clause has been included in the tender document strongly urging the use of local resources where-ever possible,” Mr Stevens says, drawing a comparison with Mangawhai’s EcoCare project where, even though the main contractor is Australian based, nearly all the work on site is being done by locals.

The Trust says the pool is on track and, subject to an acceptable tender and, finalising financial arrangements, is confident that the full project, including the hydrotherapy pool, will be built at Selwyn Park.

Construction is scheduled to start early in the New Year and the Trust hopes to have to have the complex up and running by Labour Weekend, 2009.

For more information contact Vern Stevens on telephone 09 439 6294 or Richard Alspach on 09 439 5133.