Swimmers may not be able to return to Wanaka Community Pool until October 11 as Queenstown Lakes District Council and Lakes Leisure staff scramble to find more money to fix or replace an ageing sand filter.
The 18-year-old pool closed in April for three weeks when the pump failed and was shut again in mid-August for the rest of a $345,000 scheduled maintenance programme.
It had been intended the pool would reopen this Monday.
However, problems with the sand filter identified during the maintenance period could see the pool closed for up to eight more weeks, Lakes Leisure aquatics manager Cam Sheppard confirmed yesterday.
Parts of the new ventilation system and a new wood chip burner for the heating system had not arrived, but these issues could be dealt with and were not factors in the delayed reopening, he said.
A report is now being prepared for the council's finance committee by QLDC community services general manager Paul Wilson.
He is seeking more money - possibly up to $40,000 - for a new filter.
However, supply quotes have to be confirmed and it is not yet clear how much is left over from the $345,000 budget.
The finance committee does not meet until September 21, and the decision it makes that day should enable staff to come up with a better estimate of when the pool will reopen.
Swimmers anxious to begin training for competitions and events are not happy they face an ongoing closure of uncertain duration.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council last year cited the economic recession as a reason for dropping the proposed $11.8 million aquatic centre from the 10-year plan and now there are concerns the old pool may not last until a new one is built.
Wanaka Swimming Club president Christine Humphrey said yesterday the club had already braced itself for a mid-September reopening, but a further delay would be "very, very frustrating".
"We would like a new pool. That would be ideal. We have a very strong group of swimmers, who are doing very very well at national level and a lot of younger ones coming on who have seen that and are keen to get going," Mrs Humphrey said.
The club was reassessing training options for swimmers preparing for two important meets in September and October.
A core group of about 10 want to achieve national qualifying times and have been going to Cromwell once a week but need more time in the water.
The squad could train in Queenstown, but it was quicker and easier to go to Cromwell, Mrs Humphrey said.
The club would look at getting more time in Cromwell or Queenstown and would also approach Oakridge Resort, which has a three lane-lap pool.
Adult and recreational swimmers are also keen to get back in the pool.
"That is not funny," triathlete Wendy Davison said yesterday of the further delay.
Mr Sheppard said it would be unwise for him to suggest a definite reopening date without the council decision on replacing or fixing the sand filter.
The sand filter was at the upper limits of its life and it had been hoped to keep it going by treating the inside for rust.
However, closer inspection revealed welds lacked integrity and any repairs would not guarantee it would operate properly in the future.
"The council could spend lots of money on it and not get an absolute fix," Mr Sheppard said.
Mr Wilson confirmed he was going through his budgets to find more money "but, as you know, money does not grow on trees and nor does it pop out of the air".
