Aquatic centre hydroslide sub-contract for local company

Timaru composite manufacturing company Aeromarine Industries Ltd has been awarded a substantial sub-contract to build the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre’s hydroslide following a United States peer review of Aeromarine’s design that included 3D “live” modelling of the exhilarating ride.
 
 The snaking fibreglass tunnel, through which swimmers spin and glide from an outside tower down into the main complex on a carpet of water, could start to be erected as early as Christmas as a result of the awarding of the sub-contract by the aquatic centre’s main build contractor, Ranger Construction Ltd, of Timaru.
 
Ranger Construction managing director Roger Forde said today his company’s letting of the sub-contract to Aeromarine was “proof that once again local business could provide exceptional solutions” in the aquatic centre project.“This sub-contract brings South Canterbury business input to almost 70 per cent of the contract value.“We believe this is a resounding success for the Timaru District Council and confirms their support for the ability of our local building fraternity,” Mr Forde said
 
 The awarding of the sub-contract follows an extensive peer review of the hydroslide design and finish by water slide design and software specialist company Oroke Consulting LLC based in Colorado, United States.Mr Forde said the review was leading-edge.  “The peer review to confirm Aeromarine’s design included physical testing, engineering design reviews, and 3D graphic modelling including a ‘live’ 3D model completing the exhilarating ride that will be provided for the patrons of the aquatic centre,” Mr Forde said.
 
 “Simon Robb and Alex Bedford from Aeromarine worked closely with Brian Lee from the [Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre] architects office and Gary Haverland the consultant engineer for the project during the peer review, which was designed to ensure that the design met the stringent guidelines laid down by the Timaru District Council.  “The ride will be an outstanding feature of the aquatic centre,” Mr Forde said.
 
 Council district services manager Ashley Harper said the council was delighted that the proposed hydroslide met the incredibly high world standard.  “We are also very pleased that, once again, a local firm could be awarded another significant slice of the project for this precision and demanding technology in composite manufacturing,” Mr Harper said.
 
 Aeromarine Industries Ltd is one of the South Island’s larger composite manufacturing companies operating from a 1300 square metre, environmentally-controlled factory in Washdyke.  It has developed technology that has produces seamless moulding in fibreglass making it ideal for waterslide application, general manager Simon Robb said.
 
 Aeromarine hydroslides have been supplied to aquatic centres all over the country in recent years including Napier, Whakatane, Taupo, Palmerston North, Queenstown, Jelly Park, New Plymouth, and Hawera. The hydroslide at Century Pool in Timaru was also built by Aeromarine.  Mr Harper said the company offered technology that was sought after in the aquatic environment.  “Fibreglass doesn’t rust. It has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio, is long-lasting, easily kept spotlessly clean, is resistant to chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning products and is easily repaired.”
 
He said Aeromarine was also likely to be involved in the manufacture of fibreglass seating in the aquatic centre to accommodate 400 spectators, as well as stairways to access the waterslide launch platform. It would also be producing the diffuser light admittance domes across the ceiling of the new centre.

Work on the new hydroslide would begin immediately at Aeromarine’s factory in Holmglen Street, Washdyke.