Waimate’s Norman Kirk Memorial Swimming Pool will close early this season for an upgrade.
This year’s closing date will be March 3, instead of the normal time at the end of March.
Concession tickets and season passes issued for 2023-24 will no longer be valid past this date.
Mayor Craig Rowley said the $213,000 project would upgrade the pool with a PVC membrane to stop water leaking and help maintain the water temperature.
It would be completed as part of the council’s 2023-24 annual plan.
Mr Rowley said this would lessen the annual operating costs by reducing the heating requirements and extend the life of the pool by 20 years.
The project needed to be done in the warmer months because it needed more sunlight hours and heat to properly set.
In 2022, council staff investigated the cost of installing a membrane compared with sand-blasting and repainting the pool. It was found the PVC membrane offered a more durable and cost-effective solution.
The PVC membrane is virtually indestructible, requires minimal maintenance, can be installed over any structurally sound shell without any prep work and will last decades.
Built in 1978, the outdoor facility is a 33.3 metre-long, six-lane heated pool, with a toddlers’ pool, barbecue area and ample seating and shade, which is enjoyed by locals and visitors to the district.
The upgrade will ensure there are ongoing job opportunities, as well as a facility that will be enjoyed, for many more years to come.
