Marton Swim Centre

Background

A crack had been identified in one of the support beams during a previous inspection in May, following the conclusion of the swim season. Council had been monitoring the damage alongside CLM and structural engineers, and were working on a plan to fix the issue in time for the 2024/2025 swim season.

Following the failure of the roof structure, Council made the decision to close the Marton Swim Centre until further notice.

Below are updates from us on how this project has been progressing, with the latest information at the top:

March 2025

Phase two has been completed, which identified critical work required to get the pool open and also proposes some enhancements to the complex, for consideration.

On Thursday 27 March, Council received an update from staff detailing four options for the swim centre. These include short, medium and long term options, with costs ranging from $1 million to $12 million.

The report is being received by Council, and a public workshop will be held on 10 April with elected members and our contracted engineers to go over the options in more detail, with a decision made at a later date.

February 2025

Council engaged engineers to complete a comprehensive asset condition assessment of the entire Marton Swim Centre. The assessment included all the buildings, the pool, pipework and all associated filter and heating equipment.

The assessment identifies all asset renewals and upgrades that will be needed to get the facility to comply with current requirements, as well as upgrades needed in the medium and long-term.

Work continues with phase two of the investigations to add costs to all identified upgrades and then prioritise these upgrades. This includes like for like renewals, refurbishments that lead to increased customer experience, a long-term vision of what the facility could be to reduce operating costs, and potential increased use of the swim centre.

This information will be given to Council for their consideration on completion of phase two. Work on determining cost estimates for repairing the roof, heating and electrical services will happen at the same time to allow Council to consider potential short-term repairs to re-open the facility as soon as practicable.

September 2024

At the Council meeting held Thursday 26 September 2024, Rangitīkei District Council discussed recommendations regarding the reopening of Marton Swim Centre.

After significant debate, council decided to keep the swim centre closed for the 2024/25 summer season. Council have instructed staff to conduct further investigation of the Marton Swim Centre to determine a more holistic understanding of the repairs required to future-proof the facility.The vote to close the Marton Swim Centre over the 2024/25 summer season was passed 6 votes to 5 votes.Rangitīkei District Mayor Andy Watson says council have decided to take a future-focused view of the facility, with user safety the priority.

“The Marton Swim Centre is a wonderful asset and the only Olympic sized indoor swimming pool in the region. We have the chance to ensure this facility will serve our community for the long-term, and council have decided to take that opportunity now.“We understand this news will be disappointing to many in the community. The recommendations put forward by staff were thoroughly considered by all councillors and our discussions included input from pool operators Community Leisure Management, who were present at the meeting.

“We will continue to work with the operators of the Marton Swim Centre to offer alternative services to the community over the summer months,” says Mayor Andy.

In August 2024, structural damage to a beam caused a partial collapse of the Marton Swim Centre roof.Council staff have been working with Community Leisure Management (CLM), the Marton Swim Centre operators, to develop a number of contingencies to facilitate community access to swimming and leisure activities in the case council decided to keep the swim centre closed.

Council and CLM will keep residents informed of the options that will be available to them, and when they will be happening.

August 2024

During a routine inspection of the Marton Swim Centre by our contractors Community Leisure Management (CLM), staff noticed that there was a failure of the roof structure.

A crack had been identified in one of the support beams during a previous inspection in May, following the conclusion of the swim season. Council have been monitoring the damage alongside CLM and structural engineers, and were working on a plan to fix the issue.

Following the failure of the beam, it has caused a partial collapse of the roof. Collectively, we will now be assessing the extent of the damage, what repairs are possible, what else may need to be addressed before the swim centre is able to open for the upcoming swim season, due to start in October.

The beam failure posed no threat to life due to the swim centre not being operational. It also has no impact on the gym, which is still able to be accessed by members.

As a precaution, Council have cordoned off the Hereford Street side of the swim centre, which will impact on pedestrians and people parking outside the swim centre.

Council will be keeping residents and swim centre users updated on any further developments that may impact on them.