The Millers Flat Baths Committee picked up the coal-fired burner from an Invercargill pub undergoing a refit and with help from local community members have had it installed and running in time for the holidays.
Committee vice-president Richard Cubitt said at least 300 man-hours had been volunteered, with engineering, electrical and carpentry work provided free, mainly by locals and family members.
Design engineer Chris Austin, of Invercargill, a long-time holidaymaker at Millers Flat, said he had identified the need for something to complement the uncovered pool's existing solar heating system, and helped move the boiler.
The 200kW boiler was connected to a heat-exchanger to ensure a constant pool temperature of 28-30degC, a significant boost from an average of about 22degC last summer, Mr Cubitt said, noting that the junior class at Millers Flat School had only three swims at the baths last season. He expected the increased temperature would lead to a longer season and a lift in ticket sales for the pool.
Local man Cameron Moore, who built the shed housing the boiler, said his input was like paying off a debt: "It's payback for all the times I and my brothers jumped the fence and helped ourselves."
Mr Cubitt estimated the total cost of purchase and installation to be about $25,000, half of which had been met by the baths committee, the other half coming from local grants.
- Paul Mooney
