10-metre dive platform

A big milestone has indeed been reached at Parakiore since our last update, with the 10-metre dive platform now in place at the top of the FINA compliant dive tower.

This is the first competition dive tower to be constructed in New Zealand since Dunedin's Moana Pool was built at the start of the millennium. 

After the concrete has cured, the tower will be rendered and the stairs, ladders, handrails and rubber flooring will be added to the platforms. The placement of stairs and handrails was an area of particular focus for the design team, which had to ensure they will not inhibit spectator and officials' sightlines and allow the tower to meet competition specifications. 

The completion of the dive tower will also enable the southern wall of the pools building to be constructed over the coming months. 

Mechanical services subcontractor

In our past update, we let you know CPB had begun work to secure a new mechanical services provider, following the unexpected liquidation of its subcontractor. Fortunately, a replacement provider was secured quickly, and we do not expect the change to have any significant impact on the construction programme. 

Show court

Installation of the northern broadcast platform is now underway in the show court. This will sit slightly above one of the 1250-seat retractable grandstands. 

There is another designated camera position in the large white wall in the photo below, that will be able capture the end-to-end action on court.

This photo also shows some of the joinery and glazing that is now being installed in this area.

Pool floors

Concrete trucks have also been filing in to cover the pool floors in the leisure water area. Here you can make out the subtle changes in the levels around the play structure, where the water toys will be mounted. 

Below that image is the leisure pool in the background and the deeper manu pool in the foreground. 

The remaining sections and run-outs for three of the five black hydroslides are also being connected to the existing structures, so the required levels for the finished floor inside can be determined. 

Outside

Testing has now been carried out on the jet grout columns that have been installed at the southern end of the pools building to remediate the small area of subsidence that was caused by one of the dewatering wells. The work is being carried out to ensure the site reacts uniformly in an earthquake. Pleasingly, the columns appear to be having the desired effect, with a few more needing to be installed and some existing ones needing some additional grout to be added in the next few weeks to complete the remediation process. 

Work is also continuing outside to create the access route and car parks for the facility.

There will be vehicle entrance/exit on Moorhouse Ave, and this road will run past the western side of the facility and connect to St Asaph St. There will be another vehicle entry/exit on Stewart St, that will lead to the southern entrance and drop off area. This east/west access way will carry on through to and exit onto Antigua St, it will also act as a vehicle entry point during events.