Mosgiel's long-awaited new pool will still open in 2021 despite a ''realignment'' of its multimillion-dollar budget.
About $2.1 million set aside in the Dunedin City Council's 2018-19 budget for the $15 millon pool project has been held over as part of a $16.3 million increase in its planned capital spending.
Mosgiel Pool advisory panel chairman and deputy mayor Chris Staynes said the pool was still set to open by mid 2021 and the money was being ''realigned'' because there was nothing to spend it on yet.
''What's happened is we've been shuffling the capital spend on renewals and new projects in line with where we are with the work.''
Because of the planning and consenting processes the project would not have been ready for the money for when it was budgeted, Cr Staynes said.
The council was finalising the process to designate Memorial Park, Memorial Gardens and Peter Johnstone Park for community and recreational purposes, he said.
A new designation allowed the council to progress any developments or upgrades inside the area, including the pool, without needing further planning approval.
A final design is expected to be completed and construction started before the end of next year.
Cr Staynes said there was quite a lot of ''horsepower'' behind the project at the moment and acknowledged the work of the Taieri Communities Facility Trust and the wider Taieri community.
''The trust is doing a really great job and is near the $3.1 million mark, which shows great community support, so from a council point of view it's all go.''
Earlier this year the council voted to contribute $10.8 million towards the new pool if the trust was able to raise a minimum of $3.2 million.
Trust chairwoman Irene Mosley said the trust was focused on raising the $3.2 million before Christmas and had about $125,000 to go.
A $30,000 donation had just been received from Southern Motor Group managing director Ken Cummings and the trust was about to start another fundraising push, Mrs Mosley said.
''If we hit that trigger by Christmas, it puts the money there for the council to start its processes and we can focus on raising the $5 million we need to build that substantial facility the community wants.''
Once the council's funding was guaranteed, other large funding organisations and trusts were more likely to contribute to the project, she said.
