A portable pool proposed as an interim solution for a Wanaka learn-to-swim facility is still in the pipeline, but as a summer option only.
In January, Lakes Leisure chief executive Ruth Stokes told the Wanaka Community Board a temporary covered learners' pool from Pools in Schoolz could be operating within a few months at the existing Wanaka Community Pool.
The pool structure would cost about $55,000, compared with the $750,000-plus cost of a permanent structure, she said at the time.
When contacted by the Otago Daily Times this week, Mrs Stokes said the portable pool was still being considered, but Lakes Leisure was now assessing its viability based on estimated participation figures for school terms one and four only.
''The research that we've done has really identified that it's only really viable for ... a summer option rather than a year-round option. So that has sort of changed things a little bit for us,'' Mrs Stokes said.
The key issue for portable pools in places with similar climates to Wanaka was the risk of the structure collapsing as a result of snow loading.
Lakes Leisure recently carried out an energy audit of all its facilities, including the existing Wanaka pool. Based on that, consideration was being given to whether a portable learners' pool could use the existing pool's plant or would require its own.
The total cost of installing a temporary pool with its own plant and foundations would be about $80,000, Mrs Stokes said.
There is $200,000 budgeted in the Queenstown Lakes District Council's long-term plan for a learn-to-swim facility in Wanaka, plus possible additional third-party funders.
In this year's annual plan submissions, several Wanaka residents identified the need for a learners' pool as a priority.
