At Thursday’s council’s meeting, during discussion on the DCC’s recent financial report, city services general manager Scott MacLean told councillors budget under-spends happened for a range of reasons, including delay, deferment and, occasionally, savings.
"Moana Pool, for example, we've identified an option for the air handling units that is millions of dollars cheaper than what we had budgeted for when we prepared the budgets, and that was a better option for us to go with that."
Mr MacLean later told the Otago Daily Times $6m was budgeted to refurbish or replace air handling units and the heat recovery system at Moana Pool, allowing for possible upgrades where required.
"After assessing the condition of the units, our contractor proposed a solution that could cost significantly less. This is being developed further and checked from a design point of view," Mr MacLean said.
"Although we do not have final costings or a final design, we are now targeting a $3million spend subject to the chosen solution."
The planned work was part of ongoing Moana Pool improvements, including revamped hydroslides, which reopened in December, new wall tiles, upgraded family change facilities and changes to plant and equipment areas.
New fire alarm and emergency lighting systems and a new ceiling between the main pool and the leisure pool have also been installed.
