Baywave to reopen tomorrow after safety upgrade

Baywave will reopen to the public tomorrow after it was closed due to safety fears. Photo/file

Baywave TECT Aquatic and Leisure Centre will reopen to the public tomorrow after it shut down due to safety concerns.

The pool complex is expected to open at 2pm, eight days after it was shut for urgent seismic upgrades following a preliminary draft of a BECA report assessing the centre as being a Grade D seismic-prone building.

Bay Venues chief executive Gary Dawson said "great progress" has been made on remedial works.

The construction team completed the works over the weekend - ahead of the initial nine-day turnaround which would have had the facility reopening on Friday.

Strengthening included infilling a window so that it became a solid wall and adding bracing to the steel girders that run along the spine of the building. Installing six plates takes the centre from a Grade D to a Grade C seismic risk.

Mr Dawson praised everyone involved in the process, particularly given the tight deadline ahead of the National Underwater Hockey Secondary School Championships starting this Friday and the AIMS Games on Monday.

"Contractors have worked brilliantly to lift the building's seismic safety rating in such a short amount of time. We have had great support from Tauranga City Council, BECA, Contract Mechanical Services, Steeplejacks Scaffolding, Searob Building and Reds Blocklaying to rapidly address the issue.

"Thanks must also go to the staff and public who have been incredibly understanding about our safety priority.

"It has been warming to see the local community banding together. Other gyms have offered temporary memberships and private aquatic facilities have provided lane space and facilities to accommodate patrons and swimming squads."

Bay Venues expected to receive a finalised BECA report in three weeks' time with more detail on how to improve the building's seismic safety.

Bay Venues and Tauranga City Council will then meet to discuss a review process with respect to this project.

"Our initial response focused on public safety and addressing the current high priority issues," Mr Dawson said.