Keeping you up to date with the changes happening at Swim Zone Matamata.

At the end of April, the Swim Zone Matamata indoor pool, changing rooms and spa were closed after learning the Swim Zone Matamata pool roofing structure, and various other parts of the sports centre, were at risk in an earthquake.

The indoor pool roof was due for replacement this year. While this had been budgeted for, the assessment prior to carrying out this work revealed the entire roof support system needed replacing, from the foundations up.

After being made aware of the risk with the indoor pool structure, we assessed the rest of the facility. Other areas were also found wanting, and what started out as a $1.5 million project to carry out the scheduled pool roof replacement quickly escalated into a project that would cost between $3 million to $6 million, if we were to also fix the structures that hold the roof in place.

That’s a significant investment and it has prompted us to ask if we should spend that amount of money on a facility that’s coming to the end of its life. To gather information and assess the options will take time, and we want the community to be involved as we work through what the future is for Swim Zone Matamata. Realistically we could be without a dedicated indoor pool for at least a few years but we are committed to providing an all year swimming option for the community.

The construction of a covered walkway is currently underway. It will provide shelter between the Meura Street reception area and the outdoor changing rooms. As there won’t be an indoor pool option for sometime, this small investment will provide some comfort for outdoor users.

The Matamata Swim Club has installed a temporary shelter at one end of the heated dive pool, to provide cover for swim school members during the winter months. Platforms are being used by the swim school to keep participants safe in the deeper water, and are using the heated dive pool at various times on Mondays to Thursdays.

The Matamata Swim Club continues to have exclusive use of the heated outdoor lane pool on weekdays between 4pm and 5.30pm.

In August we will be moving the pool reception from the carpark entrance to the Meura Street road entrance. This will allow customers to access the pools without having to enter parts of the facility that have been deemed high risk in an earthquake.

Investigations are underway to find out if removing the indoor pool roof will help reduce the risk level for the rest of the facility’s structure, and if any strengthening can be done to improve the squash area. We anticipate knowing more later in August.

These are not long term options but are intended to give the squash club time to make decisions about its future. The gym will relocate at the start of August, but we are mindful that squash requires a purpose built facility and we’re working with the club to consider it’s options.

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