Kuirau Park foot pool makeover in progress

New construction at Kuirau Park. Photo/Ben Fraser

Part of a building project initially scheduled to be completed by last summer is now under way in Kuirau Park.

In January 2016 Rotorua Lakes Council approved a $300,000 makeover of Kuirau Park's old thermal foot pools.

The makeover was part of a wider project called Te Waimirimiri o Te Kuirau, designed to develop the pools and their surrounds. It was due to start in March last year and be completed before summer.

However, it was found one of the foot pool sites needed more geotechnical assessment than anticipated and, once the assessment had been done and work was ready to progress, work was already under way on the other foot pool, a council spokeswoman said.

Rather than having both out for summer, work on the second foot pool was delayed until now.

Once completed, Te Waimirimiri o Te Kuirau will feature a series of stylised waharoa (entranceways) leading into the redeveloped pools, along with public seating, a covered barbecue and picnic tables.

Landscaping will include native plants and large rock features, in keeping with the park's geothermal theme.