Pool upgrade going swimmingly

Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith visited Riverside Pool last week for an update about building’s heating upgrade from Dave McKenzie, CLM’s facility manager for the pool. Photo: Max Frethey.

The $800,000 upgrade of the heating system at Nelson's Riverside Pool is on time and on budget, and the facility is set to re-open at the end of February.

The new air handling units were installed last week, and the next step of the upgrade is to complete the installation of ducting, pipework, controls, and wiring before all the equipment is tested and commissioned.

While Riverside Pool has been closed, facility manager and council contractor, CLM (Community Leisure Management) took the opportunity to drain the pool for the first time since the mid-1990s.

It took four days to drain 864,000 litres of water via the wastewater network.

The pool has been given a deep clean and tiles repairs have been completed.

Leaks in the balance tank were also repaired after divers traced them using dye tests while the pool was still full.

The balance tank, built in an old basement alongside the pool, takes in water overflows and then filters, treats, and heats it before returning the water into the pool.

Nayland Pool has seen a surge of visitors during Riverside’s closure, seeing almost 3000 extra visitors in December 2024 compared to the year before.

Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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