Kāpiti Aquatic Centre under threat from Mainzeal collapse

The Kāpiti Coast District Council says it is stunned by the news of Aquatic Centre construction company Mainzeal being placed in receivership.

The Council met with receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers today to discuss the impact of Mainzeal’s receivership on the Coastlands Aquatic Centre.

Mainzeal Property and Construction Limited are building the $21.1m complex, which is just seven weeks short of completion.

Chief Executive Pat Dougherty says the receivership announcement was totally unexpected.

“We are so nearly there with this project. It is running to time and on budget and we have even confirmed the Governor General to open it at the end of March. I really feel for our community, which has been waiting so long for this facility.”

Mr Dougherty says the Coastlands Aquatic Centre will replace the 60-year-old Raumati Pool, which no longer serves the needs of the community.

“We can be grateful at least that the project is almost complete so it would make sense to just push on and finish it. We take heart that PwC has said it is committed to working closely with all parties involved with Mainzeal contracts to determine the best way forward.”

In the meantime, work on the Aquatic Centre site, off Kāpiti Road, has been suspended for 48 hours.

Subcontractors have been locked out and are unable to retrieve their materials or tools.