Excitement as revamped pool to open

A Dunedin swim school cannot wait to move back to a community pool after its $1.4 million revamp.

The pool at Dunedin North Intermediate faced closure as its roof and support structure were both failing.

But after a community effort to fund its refurbishment the pool will continue to host swimming lessons for babies aged 6 months old through to adults from next week.

JC Swim School owner Jill Clarke said it took two years to secure funding for the renovation and the pool had finally been upgraded after being closed for three years.

She said the Ministry of Education joined the party after principals from the North East Valley area drove the project forward.

The Otago Community Trust and the Lion Foundation had also contributed to the funding.

The pool had not been touched since the 1950s and it definitely needed an upgrade, Ms Clarke said.

Stewart Construction managing director David Grant said the pool received a full fire and seismic upgrade, new coating, new roof and cladding and new electrical and mechanical ducting in the 10-month project.

Its new warm roof would make sure the pool no longer had to deal with condensation and heat loss.