Press Releases
10th June 2011 - Detection of Hot Pools Leak
TCAL maintenance crews were unable to detect the major leak at the hot pools until we put individual water meters on each pool in late May 2011. This was part of the process of investigating the fluctuating heat loss. The leak until then was undetectable because the system works on the heated salt water going from plant room heat exchanger to underground pipe work into the pools and if there is a reduction in any pool an automatic make up water supply pipe adds new water to the system.
The pools when built in the 1980s have never had separate water meters so it was impossible (until these were added in May 2011) to detect when makeup water was being added. Normally separate meters are not designed into pool facilities but following this experience we have also had meters fitted to Baywave TECT Aquatic Centre pools this week.
Following monitoring of the water meters for a week we were able to detect significant make up water continually being added to the children’s and passive pools. This leak has been detected at approximately 50 cubic metres (2 water tankers a day) which is why water temperatures have fluctuated. The makeup water is not heated and enters the pools at around 14 degrees. Normally this is not a problem as make up water only is used for small losses of water in high use periods and usually caused by people using the pools.
The pools are also constructed on a sand base so any major water leak is undetectable as the concourse is sealed by concrete and water is not rising to the surface but is leeching away in the sand base. When excavation of the concourse occurs any foundation damage caused by the leakage washing away soil will be able to be inspected.
Such leakage puts the whole pipe work and pool foundation system under pressure and may have contributed to other pipe breaks due to the age of the piping (mid 1980s) and design of this pipe work layered above each other in a single trench.
Replacement of pipe work and filtration and heating systems were planned for as part of the Hot Pools Redevelopment which was based on aging facilities reports in 2006 when the last major leak occurred. This work had not been auctioned due to project approval hold ups and recently the resource consent decision which is now being appealed.
Warren Banks
Chairman
TCAL
8th June 2011 - Mount Hot Pools to get 'do-it-once-and-do-it-right' makeover...
The Mount Hot Pools complex is closed for up to 18 weeks to enable works to take place that will replace the plant room and aged pipework. These works will enable the pool to meet new water quality standards as well as addressing ongoing temperature issues.
The temperature in the Mount Hot Pools has been low for the last few weeks and this has been caused by leaks from the old pipes. Low temperatures reduce the positive experience for customers and are not compliant with the resource consent.
Chairman of Tauranga City Aquatics Ltd (TCAL), Warren Banks, today presented the Council with three options to consider in response to this issue.
The Council advised Mr Banks that they support the "do-it-once-and-do-it-right' option. This is likely to cost $1 - 1.5 million.
During this period other works may be undertaken such as the addition of a ramp for people with disabilities and possibly other suggestions put forward from the recent users meeting. These include suggestions such as another lane for aqua joggers, new handrails and heating of the changing rooms.
Both TCAL and the elected members recognise that the Mount Hot Pools are a very important icon for both recreational, health and wellbeing of both residents and visitors. They all agreed that every endeavour will be made to open it again as soon as practicable.
The existing Hot Pools users are encouraged to go to Baywave (some of these will be concession-card holders) and they will be well looked after.
15th March 2010 - LIFEGUARD SAVES LIFE BUT STRONG SUPERVISION MESSAGE RESULTS
A near drowning at TCAL’s Baywave facility on Sunday was averted thanks to the professional response of staff members on duty, but it serves as a serious reminder of the need for caregivers to constantly supervise children when near water.
Reporting on the incident on Monday morning after a staff briefing, which included the review of video coverage from the pools, CEO Tania Delahunty reported that the incident appeared to be totally avoidable had caregivers remained vigilant in their supervision of the child.
The girl, aged between three and four, was seen swimming with her caregivers and other children in the wave pool, some minutes later she climbed into the spa pool without the knowledge of her caregivers.
“The moving water in the spa pool meant the child was visually obstructed from view”
“It would appear that the child was unsupervised for several minutes, before she was found. Within forty seconds we had a lifeguard commence CPR. He was supported by the other trained guards on duty with all other pools remaining fully supervised and operational during the incident.”
TCAL Senior Managers and its Board have been quick to praise the professional response of its team on duty on Sunday. “Our lifeguards take their responsibilities seriously, and there is an emotional toll, on staff, that a rescue like this takes, particularly with a child involved.”
A full investigation commenced yesterday following the incident. This investigation is supported by video evidence of the event.
“All TCAL Reception and Lifeguard staff members are trained to promote the active supervision of children to parents and caregivers. A child can drown in a very short time and in very little water, and it’s a collective responsibility to ensure safe swimming through active supervision. This means that parents and caregivers need to watch their child at all times and be able to provide immediate assistance. Lifeguards are an important safety feature in any facility, but they can not replace the focused supervision of parents or caregivers. This incident highlights how quickly a child can get into trouble. A moment’s distraction on the part of the caregiver is all that it takes”.
Recent radio advertising by New Zealand Recreation Association was designed to promote enjoyment and safe supervision of children at public pools. This is a message that TCAL staff also continue to promote.
Please send any queries to Tania Delahunty - Tania.Delahunty@tcal.co.nz
A near drowning at TCAL’s Baywave facility on Sunday was averted thanks to the professional response of staff members on duty, but it serves as a serious reminder of the need for caregivers to constantly supervise children when near water.
Reporting on the incident on Monday morning after a staff briefing, which included the review of video coverage from the pools, CEO Tania Delahunty reported that the incident appeared to be totally avoidable had caregivers remained vigilant in their supervision of the child.
The girl, aged between three and four, was seen swimming with her caregivers and other children in the wave pool, some minutes later she climbed into the spa pool without the knowledge of her caregivers.
“The moving water in the spa pool meant the child was visually obstructed from view”
“It would appear that the child was unsupervised for several minutes, before she was found. Within forty seconds we had a lifeguard commence CPR. He was supported by the other trained guards on duty with all other pools remaining fully supervised and operational during the incident.”
TCAL Senior Managers and its Board have been quick to praise the professional response of its team on duty on Sunday. “Our lifeguards take their responsibilities seriously, and there is an emotional toll, on staff, that a rescue like this takes, particularly with a child involved.”
A full investigation commenced yesterday following the incident. This investigation is supported by video evidence of the event.
“All TCAL Reception and Lifeguard staff members are trained to promote the active supervision of children to parents and caregivers. A child can drown in a very short time and in very little water, and it’s a collective responsibility to ensure safe swimming through active supervision. This means that parents and caregivers need to watch their child at all times and be able to provide immediate assistance. Lifeguards are an important safety feature in any facility, but they can not replace the focused supervision of parents or caregivers. This incident highlights how quickly a child can get into trouble. A moment’s distraction on the part of the caregiver is all that it takes”.
Recent radio advertising by New Zealand Recreation Association was designed to promote enjoyment and safe supervision of children at public pools. This is a message that TCAL staff also continue to promote.
Please send any queries to Tania Delahunty - Tania.Delahunty@tcal.co.nz
