Raureka

Hawkes Bay | Commercial Pool Liner Installation

Originally constructed in the late 1920s and previously operated as a community pool, the 22m x 12m pool at Raureka School had a long history — and a persistent leaking problem.

Taylors had previously carried out repairs to cracks in the concrete shell, but with ongoing seismic movement in the region, the pool continued to leak. The school needed a solution that would provide a watertight pool for 10+ years without the significant cost of rebuilding the existing structure.

The answer was a complete commercial vinyl liner, combined with new pool plumbing.

Project at a glance

Project: Raureka School
Location: Hawkes Bay
Year: 2023
Project Type: Commercial Pool Liner Renovation
Pool Type: Existing Concrete Pool

The Challenge

The 22m x 12m pool had been in service for almost a century, having been constructed in the late 1920s when it was originally a community pool. Over the years, the concrete shell had developed cracks and persistent leaks. Taylors had previously carried out crack repairs, but ongoing seismic movement in the region meant the pool continued to leak.

The existing pool presented several other challenges. The original plumbing was ageing and some large sections of pipework were embedded within the pool and could not be removed. The existing pool equipment also needed to remain in service, limiting the options for modifying the system.

The project also had to be completed within a limited budget, making it essential to find a practical solution that addressed the ongoing leaks without requiring major structural reconstruction.

The Taylor-Made Solution

Given the age and ongoing movement of the pool, we needed a solution that could accommodate the existing structure while providing a genuinely long-term, watertight finish. We decided that a commercial vinyl liner was the best option — despite the fact that a liner of this size had not previously been installed in New Zealand.

The project involved completely reworking the pool plumbing while retaining the existing pool equipment. New skimmer and return lines were installed, with new penetrations core drilled through the pool shell.

A new T-Loc clipping system was installed around the perimeter, followed by extensive surface preparation and the installation of a custom liner weighing more than 450kg.

The Process

Site Assessment

We assessed the existing structure, equipment and leaking issues before developing a practical renovation approach.

Prepare the Pool

Concrete was removed, surfaces ground and trenches created to prepare the pool for the new liner and plumbing.

Upgrade the Plumbing

New skimmer and return lines were installed while working around the existing pool equipment and structure.

Liner Installation

The T-Loc system and panel pad were installed before the custom 450kg+ commercial liner was carefully fitted.

Pressure Test & Commission

All new plumbing was pressure tested before the pool was filled and the existing equipment brought back online.

Finished Pool

The Result

The completed renovation transformed a leaking, almost century-old concrete pool into a watertight commercial swimming facility without the cost of replacing the existing pool shell.

The new liner provides a long-term solution designed to accommodate the ongoing movement of the existing structure, while the new plumbing gives the pool a refreshed hydraulic system without requiring a complete replacement of the plant equipment.

Most importantly, the project delivered what the school needed: a practical, cost-effective commercial pool renovation designed to last for 10+ years and keep the pool watertight.

The project was also recognised with Gold at the NZ SPASA Awards in the Commercial Pool – Vinyl Lined category, highlighting the quality, scale and innovative approach of the renovation.

Raureka Liner Installation

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