Frustrating is how Queenstown Lakes District Council capital works manager Ken Gousmett describes the ongoing arbitration process concerning Lakes Leisure's fast hydroslide, which has now been closed for 25 months.
Mr Gousmett, also project manager for Alpine Aqualand, an $18 million complex which opened at Frankton in May 2008, said he discussed the matter with council chief executive Debra Lawson last week.
"The matter is still under arbitration. All I can say is we're not currently able to make progress for reasons that I'm not in a position to detail."
Naylor Love was given the contract to construct Alpine Aqualand, with a subcontractor, Timaru manufacturer Aeromarine Industries Ltd, responsible for the design, building and safe operation of the hydroslides.
Within six months of its starting, 69 patrons had reported minor injuries on the fast hydroslide.
At the time, then Lakes Leisure aquatics general manager Cam Sheppard said 51 of the incidents were caused by slide users breaking safety rules - for example, standing up in the slide.
However, after a woman suffered a concussion and shoulder injury while using the slide, Lakes Leisure agreed to close it.
The Department of Labour investigated a complaint laid by the woman, but decided in November 2009 not to prosecute.
In November, Mayor Vanessa van Uden said it was likely to take "months" to resolve. Mr Gousmett said that was likely still to be the case.
The closure would be having an effect on the organisation's revenue.
The hydroslides were an additional charge on pool entry.
However, it was "not about making money", Mr Gousmett said.
