Published: 6 December 2022
The first batch of concrete has been poured to lay the foundations for the new Naenae Pool and Fitness Centre, which is on track to open in 2024.
Forty concrete trucks have brought in 230 cubic metres of concrete for the first slab of the 50m Olympic pool.
The new pool and fitness centre is being built by Apollo Projects and is one of Hutt City Council’s major infrastructure projects.
Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry, who visited the construction site yesterday to mark the occasion, says it’s a significant milestone for the project which will meet the community's needs now and into the future.
“We’re making great progress with this project which will restore the beating heart to Naenae, and be a fantastic asset for the city and the region,” he says.
The project has been developed in consultation with the community, including a community advisory group which meets with key project staff regularly.
“In keeping with our commitment to supporting local businesses, 90% of the sub-contracts for supply and labour will go to local suppliers, with the zoom tubes being made in Taitā and the structural steel frame being made locally in Petone,” says Mayor Barry.
Apollo Projects CEO and Director Paul Lloyd says the first concrete pour is a major development. “It won't be long before the steelwork and glulam frames start to be erected and the size and scale of the new aquatic facility becomes evident. This milestone is very exciting for both Apollo and the community who we know are very eager to have their new water space up and running.”
The complex is being built with sustainability in mind, in line with Hutt City Council’s target to be carbon-zero by 2050. 90% of materials from the demolition of the old pool and community hall were saved from going to landfill, including 13,162 tonnes of scrap metal and concrete which was crushed for use as backfill on the site.
Demolition experts McMahon Services won the Asbestos or Demo Best Practice Project over $1M at the NZDAA Demolition & Asbestos Awards in November for their work on the demolition, which demonstrated industry best practice for safety and sustainability.
Naenae Pool and Fitness Centre was successful in securing co-funding of $27 million from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) fund. The IRG programme is managed by Crown Infrastructure Partners.
For more information on the Naenae Pool and Fitness Centre, visit hutt.city/Naenae.
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