The Queenstown Lakes District Council has confirmed a Queenstown contractor as the preferred tenderer for the Queenstown Aquatic Centre, QLDC project manager Ken Gousmett said.

"The council called for expressions of interest in November 2005 and received five registrations of interest, with four being accepted," Mr Gousmett said.

Subsequently three proposals were received on the closing date of January 26, 2006.

"Each of the proposals was evaluated and two lead contenders were interviewed. The upshot is that the council approved the selection of Queenstown company Naylor Love Limited as the preferred contractor," Mr Gousmett said.

The company would now join the design team in the final preparation of the plans.

"This practice works exceptionally well and tends to iron out any potential problems in the transition from design to building," Mr Gousmett said.

The contract would go back to the council for approval once the final designs were completed and costed.

"This is a very significant step forward and the project is well on track for a start in the next few months," Mr Gousmett said.

It was expected the aquatic centre would be completed by September 2007.

ENDS

For further information please contact Ken Gousmett 027 229 6012

By: Sarah