At the end of 2024 the Carterton Indoor Pool Project Working Group had to consider a new plan after the Group investigated the design of a conventional, heavily-insulated shed which was estimated to cost up to $4M to build. 

After a rethink over the Christmas holidays the Group come upon a simpler solution: a lightweight retractable arched aluminium enclosure with polycarbonate glazing.

The lighter construction option will cut both construction costs and running costs.  The main savings will be from aluminium’s high durability in a pool environment, as well as requiring less plant and machinery. This design will use mainly natural ventilation instead of a Heating-Ventilation-Air-Conditioning system, it will be light and airy to work inside and it will top up the water temperature through solar gain.  This building option has a good reputation with the swim schools already using it, including in similar climates like Rotorua and North Canterbury.

The downsides of the new approach will be finding room to incorporate the amenity spaces and integrating the fire wall on the residential boundary. The project has also hired new designers to support the new design concept. Don Jamieson is a Carterton born and raised architect specialising in education facilities, while Peter Johnson is an innovative structural engineer from Wellington. Together with our preferred builder Rigg Zschokke we are inching closer to a new concept design and costing.

The Carterton and South Wairarapa community can have their say on the design options later this year.  This project has been a hard slog for our volunteers and we are particularly interested to hear from locals with skills in communications, legal, construction and governance. And don’t forget the swim club too if you are willing to volunteer your time.