Construction of a new utilities building at Argyle Park to house water treatment equipment begins on 26 February, with little disruption expected for park users.

A small building will be built on the eastern side of the existing facility, which contains toilets, other water treatment equipment and storage; the new smaller, detached building will house additional UV water treatment equipment.

Group Manager for Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said construction was expected to cause little disturbance to those who regularly used Argyle Park.

“People will still be able to use the sealed paths, the mobility car park, the sportsfields, the toilets and the playgrounds. Another good aspect of this project is that no trees will need to be removed to make way for the new building, though a couple will need to be pruned.”

The work zone will be fenced off but the sealed path under the trees will still be able to be used throughout the life of the project. The mobility carpark next to the public toilets remains available, though some other sealed parks within the work zone will be fenced off.

Mr McCann said there might be some disruption for pedestrians when the contractor was moving equipment in and out of the site, but it would be brief.

The contractor is ARC Projects and they are working to a commissioning date for the new plant in November.

The Argyle Park water treatment plant is one of four treatment plants that service Ashburton town; there are two deep bores at the park that supply water to the plant.

Other water treatment plants for the town are at the Ashburton Domain, Bridge Street and Tinwald and these are also being upgraded in the next 10 months to have UV equipment installed.

Council is also upgrading and adding UV disinfection at water treatment plants on its smaller rural schemes, to help meet the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules.