The Whangarei Aquatic Centre redevelopment could begin as early as August.
Most of the funding for the project, predicted to cost about $8.7 million, is already in place and Sport Northland, which owns and manages the centre, has presented its concept plan to the Whangarei District Council.
The "exciting development" was full
steam ahead, Sport Northland chief executive Brent Eastwood said.
ASB Trust had given $2.5million, several other funding sources had been approached and the council would fund any shortfall, he said. Mr Eastwood said he was awaiting figures from a quantity surveyor before he would know the exact overall cost.
The revamp would include a wave pool, five new 25-metre swimming lanes to be used when the wave pool is not operating, a hydrotherapy pool, double tots pools, a spa pool, two 12-metre-high hydroslides and a new carpark.
The existing 25-metre indoor heated pool, outdoor diving pool and learners pool would remain, with the extension for the wave pool built on the existing carpark in Ewing Rd. The new carpark for the complex would be built on the site of the current 50-metre outdoor pool and grandstand.
Mr Eastwood said the first stage, the new carpark, could not start until the additional bridge across the Hatea River, at the Town Basin, was completed.
The entire project should be finished in time for the summer of 2006/07.
