Ageing machinery could chill rec centre pools

Masterton District Council is expected to make a decision next week about whether or not to replace the compressors at Genesis Recreation Centre, at a cost of $400,000.

Council are investigating options to heat the indoor pools at the centre, according to a report in the ordinary meeting to be held tomorrow.

Council had major problems with the compressors last year after an electrical and a mechanical fault.

The faults with the pump were resolved and the pump ran without issue for three months, according to parks and facilities manager Grant Hathaway.

There was also a back-up diesel boiler installed to keep the pool warm in case the pump failed again.

"Because we've had so much wrong with it, we are considering our options," said Mr Hathaway.

He said the heat pump was running fine at the moment but council was awaiting an engineer's report to confirm this.

McAlpine Hussman had originally been contracted to fix the faults and were contacted to confirm whether it was viable to keep all or part of the pump.

But council contacted Cooke Industries (the original suppliers of the equipment) as the contractors had taken too long to undertake the investigation.

They recommended an engineer and council expected to hear from them next week.

Aurecon Consulting estimated a full replacement would cost about $400,000.