Four Pool Option for EA Networks Centre

The EA Networks Centre will now have four pools in its indoor aquatic centre.

Over the past two months the project group tasked with recommending a design for the aquatic centre and designers Warren and Mahoney have met with different user groups to hammer out the best mix of pools and stadium space to meet the community’s needs.

Stadium Trust Chairman Maurice Myers says this was an innovative approach and thanks all the user groups and designers who have worked hard to find the right approach for the district.

The four pool choices are:

·         A 10 lane 25 metre pool

·         Leisure pool

·         16 metre by 12 metre learn to swim pool

·         Warm water programme pool

Provision will be made to add hydro-slides at a later date and the lazy river has been replaced with a splash-deck feature in the leisure pool.

Mayor Angus McKay says some compromises were required no matter which option was chosen but he is confident the right choices have been made.

“We have listened to our community and Warren and Mahoney have done a wonderful job in adjusting the design to enable us to have a four pool complex with minimal additional cost” said Mr. McKay.

Designers Warren and Mahoney have been given the green light to begin the design based on this option which will be mostly completed in the next 6 to 8 weeks.

Media Statement - Four Pool Design  

EA Networks Centre

Canterbury architects Warren and Mahoney have come up with a design that is economic and efficient as well as being strikingly elegant in its simplicity. The design cleverly provides for future proofing through a grid construction system. This enables staging of construction, or adding of future facilities with minimal fuss.

Warren and Mahoney have an extensive background in wide range of projects including leisure projects. Mayor Angus Mckay says everyone involved in the project looks forward to having a positive relationship with the design team.

Mr McKay says the consensus among project group members and councillors who sat in on the presentations was that all were impressed by the level of expertise and professionalism offered by all the design teams and would have been comfortable working with any of the firms and their sub-consultants.