Construction of the Queenstown Aquatic Centre at Frankton will commence in less than two weeks time, Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Duncan Field said.

"The main contractor Naylor Love Ltd expects to establish on site late next week. It gives me great pleasure to confirm that the aquatic centre is about to get underway," Mr Field said.

On Friday the full council accepted the revised tender for the aquatic centre, submitted by Naylor Love Ltd for $15,408,886 excluding GST. The total project cost of $17,830,868 was an anticipated 6.2% over the approved budget and reflected inflation, recent exchange rate variations and approved design changes.

A design review and value engineering workshop was held in late August to identify potential savings on both the capital and operational costs of the project. The savings identified amounted to $1.1 million and the tender was duly revised.  The cost of building the aquatic centre was being funded through trust funding, land sales and developer contributions.

The operational costs, which will be borne by the community in the future, were closely examined and both revenue and expenditure projections increased. "It's important to note that the net deficit has not increased and the projected impact on rates of $50 to $55 including GST per property in the Wakatipu Ward remains unchanged," Mr Field said.

Cost reductions were able to be made in areas such as drainage, roofing, carpentry, tiling, material alternatives, mechanical and electrical costs and removal of exterior canopies.

"This was a significant decision for this council and it was important that it satisfied itself that the project was streamlined in terms of cost without compromising quality. It was a tribute to the project team that on Friday the council was confident to take a unanimous decision to accept the final tender," QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

It was a great feeling to now be in a position of delivering a new community facility, much in demand.

"This is a moment to pay tribute to all the people who have worked so hard to make this project a reality right from the 2000 Pool Trust through to the Aquatic Centre Working Party. I congratulate all those people on taking this significant project to this stage, it's been an enormous task," Mr Geddes said.

The aquatic centre which would feature a 25m eight lane lap pool, separate learner's pool, large spa pool, health and fitness centre, lazy river, toddlers pool, leisure pool and twin hydro slides would be open for business in March 2008.

ENDS

For further information please contact Clive Geddes or Duncan Field 03 441 0499

By: Sarah