Heavy duty start to aquatic project

A crane towering high above Marlborough's skyline signals the beginning of construction on a new $14 million aquatic centre for Marlborough.

Marlborough Stadium Trust chairman Luke van Velthooven said it was an exciting time for all those involved with the project.

"There have been many years of planning to see it come to this stage ... I think it's going to be fantastic," he said.

Features of the newly developed aquatic centre will include seven pools: a 10-lane, 25-metre competition pool, 25m leisure pool, 25m lap pool, learn-to-swim pool, spa pool, 25m outdoor lap pool and outdoor children's pool. There will also be a steam and sauna room and a hydroslide.

The project was scheduled for completion by June 2011, Mr van Velthooven said.

Marlborough Stadium Trust chief executive Paul Tredinnick said Evan Jones Construction, the main contractor for the centre, owned the crane which was the second-tallest "crawler" in New Zealand.

Evan Jones Construction crane operator Arthur Gillman said the boom of the crane, which could be extended to 100m, was at 64m, but it would extend to 85m over the next fortnight.

At 85m of boom length, it would have a reach radius of 73m and would be able to lift four tonnes.

Because the boom was over 60m tall, a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority had to be obtained before it was erected.

A red flashing light at the end of the boom is activated at night as a warning to aircraft.

It would be used during the project to lift concrete precast units and structural steel.