The decision to building a 25m lap pool in the new Queenstown Aquatic Centre, as opposed to a 50m pool, is already proving positive, project manager Ken Gousmett said.

"The decision to build the 25m pool was based, in the main, on three things. The fact that 25m pools are commonly used for competition swimming events, the additional cost of building the bigger facility and the unrealistic cost to the ratepayer of operating a 50m pool, particularly in the Wakatipu winter," Mr Gousmett said.

In addition a lot more seating would have had to be incorporated into a pool intended to be used for national or international competitions resulting in a larger and more expensive building. It was an issue that was carefully considered by the Aquatic Centre Working Party, he said.

The increasing use of shorter course pools had been reinforced by the selection of venue for the 2007 Summer Short Course Championships, West Wave in Henderson. "It's actually a 50m pool that they will need to divide to run the competition on 25m," he said.

The 2008 FINA World Championships in Manchester would also be held in a 25m pool.

"The Queenstown Aquatic Centre will be fully FINA (international swimming authority) compliant with eight 2.5m lanes, 200mm extra space on each side and a varying depth of 1.05m to 2m," Mr Gousmett said.

The community received good, frank, advice from Swimming New Zealand when the decision was taken on the length of the lap pool, he said.

"They advised that regardless of the size of the pool there was little likelihood that international or even national competitions would be held at Queenstown, having committed events for the next ten years in the five main centres," Mr Gousmett said.

The New Zealand swim body's policy was that 25m pools allowed regional communities to meet all objectives, in terms of learning, training, competition and operation costs.

"Not only will we end up with a pool that can be utilised for regional competition (and possibly national) but it will also be sustainable in terms of operation costs. Either way the end result will be major boost for the sport of swimming in this district," Mr Gousmett said.

The Queenstown Aquatic Centre continued to be on target for a May opening in 2008.  With five pools and twin hydro slides the emphasis was on recreation, fun and learn to swim for all ages.

ENDS

For further information please contact Ken Gousmett 03 442 9071

By: Tamah