Work about to begin on Norman Kirk Memorial Pool

Manukau City Council has approved the contract for construction services for the new aquatic facilities at the Norman Kirk Memorial Pool in the Otara Leisure Centre. Mainzeal Property and Construction Ltd has won the $7.96 million contract and work will start early next month, with completion scheduled for the end of September 2010.

A sod turning ceremony at the Otara Leisure Centre, near the existing pool facility, will take place on Wednesday 4 November 2009.

“This is a great thing for Otara and for our young people in particular. We want to see them with healthy and active leisure time,” Mayor Len Brown says.

“It’s important that we provide the best facilities we can for our communities, and encourage them into sport. By improving and extending the Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, we are also complementing the spirit behind the Find Your Field Of Dreams projects.

“This project will be a tremendous asset for the Otara community. It’s taken time to get it off the drawing board and into reality, but now we are on the way and it’s really encouraging to see the local support, from the community board and from community organisations.”

The $10.3 million (including design and project management) project will include demolition of the existing indoor pool facilities. A new aquatic complex will be built, with modern change facilities, toddlers’ pool, leisure and teaching pool, 25-metre lap pool, spa and sauna. The outdoor 33.3 metres length pool will be retained with improvements to the surrounding grounds. The leisure centre recreation facilities and fitness centre will continue to be fully operational during the construction period, including during the upgrade of the reception area.

Background

The Norman Kirk Memorial Pool opened in 1974, is part of the Otara Leisure Centre and is owned by the Manukau City Council and run by Manukau Leisure Services Ltd, which is a council-controlled organisation.

In June 2008 the council approved a recommendation from the Policy and Activities Committee May 2008 meeting to develop the Norman Kirk Memorial Pool. The cost of the work was to be spread over the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years.

The council appointed Davis Langdon as project manager and Ignite Architects for the pool design and supervision of construction, with associated services from Suters Architects, Melbourne. The design was developed through community workshops and in consultation with the Otara Community Board.

On completion, the aquatic complex will be more visible to visitors and pool users and closely integrated with the Otara Leisure Centre.