Challenge

Waipa District Council commissioned a major aquatic facility upgrade, including the design of a new indoor pool complex and improvements to the existing 50 m outdoor lane pool. The new indoor development needed to accommodate five distinct pools—an eight‑lane competition pool, a programmes pool, a learn‑to‑swim pool, a children’s pool, and a spa. A key design challenge was integrating three main building components into a single structure without compromising the integrity of the vapour barrier, while ensuring seismic performance. Additionally, the existing outdoor pool faced water quality issues and overflow leveling deficiencies, requiring significant improvements to its freshwater reticulation system.

Approach

• Integrated structural design: Developed a full 3D building model to analyse how linking the three building parts would affect overall structural behavior and bracing requirements. This allowed continuity of the vapour barrier while meeting seismic design standards.
• Infrastructure upgrades: Addressed water quality and overflow leveling issues in the existing 50 m pool by improving the freshwater reticulation system and optimizing circulation for consistent water standards.

Outcome

The project delivered a state‑of‑the‑art aquatic facility that meets modern performance, safety, and sustainability standards. The integrated design approach preserved vapour barrier integrity, ensured seismic resilience, and provided a versatile indoor pool environment for competition, learning, and recreation. Upgrades to the outdoor pool resolved water quality concerns, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.