A Capital works maintenance project at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre could cost the Waitaki District Council about half of what the whole complex cost to build for its opening at midnight on January 1, 2000.
The council last week announced it was considering undertaking major work on the centre which, chief executive Michael Ross said, was "usual for these types of facilities" after that time in operation.
Now, a council report reveals the cost of the work could amount to $1.5 million.
The centre cost slightly more than $3 million when it was built as a millennium project for the district.
The project includes replacing pool filters and pumps, pool floor tile grouting, upgrading heating, reinstating the public toilets in the foyer and giving the entrance a facelift.
The big ticket items are $200,000 for an ultraviolet steriliser, $150,000 to replace the main pool filter, $134,000 to replace and revise acoustic treatment, $117,000 for pool lighting and a skylight screen, $105,000 for a spa pool heating-filter-pump unit, $100,000 for the pool's water heat pump and $100,000 for a dry storage facility.
It will be financed by reserves (including depreciation of $620,000) and a loan of no more than $680,000.
The council still owes about $560,000 of the original loan to build the centre.
Aquatic services manager Kathy Moore said the work would "inspire new life and generate an intense sense of pride" in the facility.
"The council always intended to have an aquatic centre of which the community could be proud," she said.
Some items were needed to meet legal requirements in terms of health and safety and resource consent compliance.
Others would make the operation of the pool more efficient, saving in areas such as heating costs and future maintenance costs.
Due to the design and age of some of the plant, operating costs were not only excessive but also would continue to rise.
For example, energy usage over the past six months had significantly increased.
The corporate services committee will consider the report tomorrow before deciding whether to recommend to the council it goes ahead with the project.
If it does, work will start early next year and may include closing the centre for about three weeks in April.
