ARROWTOWN, 31 July 2026
Arrowtown Memorial Pool is set to reopen with warmer water and a significantly lower emissions footprint this summer, following the replacement of its ageing LPG boiler with a new electric heat pump water heating system.
Queenstown Lakes District Council has confirmed that work is now underway at the pool as part of a wider programme of energy upgrades across local aquatic facilities.
The new system is expected to reduce emissions from pool heating by up to 83 percent while also lowering operating costs and improving reliability.
For the Arrowtown community, the upgrade will be particularly welcome after the pool endured a difficult 2025 to 2026 season, when the existing LPG boiler failed just one week before opening.
That breakdown left the pool operating with colder water than usual throughout the summer.
Hydroponic Cannabis Crop Worth $1.2 Million Seized at Sydney Home, Man Charged – WebfitNews
Council delivers on commitment made last season
QLDC Strategic Projects Manager for Community Services Simon Battrick said the council had committed to ensuring the pool would be properly heated for the next season.
“Our commitment to the community last year was to have the next season heated and this is us delivering on that commitment,” Battrick said.
He said the new electric heat pump system would provide a better outcome for both swimmers and the council.
“It’s a great result for the community and for Council. It’s a better heating source that will deliver cost savings, have a better environmental outcome, and the community will get to enjoy a warm pool,” he said.
The decision to use a proven heat pump system was intended to allow the upgrade to be completed quickly and with less delivery risk before summer.
Arrowtown Memorial Pool is expected to open on the final weekend of November.
New system expected to cut emissions by up to 83 percent
The replacement of the LPG boiler is part of QLDC’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of council-owned facilities.
Unlike the old system, which relied on liquefied petroleum gas, the new heat pump will use electricity to transfer heat into the pool water.
Heat pump systems are generally more energy-efficient because they move heat rather than generating it entirely through fuel combustion.
QLDC expects the change to reduce pool heating emissions by as much as 83 percent.
The upgrade also supports the council’s Climate and Biodiversity Plan, which includes goals aimed at reducing organisational emissions and improving the energy performance of public facilities.
The final emissions savings will depend on the system’s operation, electricity use and seasonal heating requirements.
A difficult previous season
The upgrade follows a challenging summer for Arrowtown swimmers.
The pool’s LPG boiler failed shortly before the beginning of the 2025 to 2026 season, leaving the council with limited time to install a replacement heating solution.
Although the pool was still able to open, the water remained noticeably colder than usual.
For an outdoor seasonal facility, reliable heating can have a major effect on comfort, attendance and the length of time people are willing to remain in the water.
Cooler conditions can be particularly difficult for children, older swimmers and people taking part in lessons or organised aquatic programmes.
The council’s decision to complete the replacement before the next season is intended to avoid a repeat of those conditions.
Why the pool matters to Arrowtown
Arrowtown Memorial Pool is an important seasonal recreation facility for local families, schools and visitors.
The outdoor pool provides a place for swimming, water safety activities, exercise and community recreation during the warmer months.
In a town that continues to experience population growth and increased visitor numbers, public facilities such as the pool play an important role in supporting community wellbeing.
The planned opening on the final weekend of November will allow the facility to operate through the main summer period.
Further information about opening hours, admission charges, programmes and the completed heating upgrade will be released closer to the start of the season.
Lower operating costs expected
In addition to reducing emissions, the heat pump system is expected to provide financial benefits.
LPG prices can fluctuate, while older boilers may also require greater maintenance as they reach the end of their operational life.
A modern electric heat pump can offer more predictable operating costs and improved energy efficiency.
Those savings may become more significant over time, particularly if the pool continues operating for many years under the new system.
The council has not yet released the total cost of the upgrade or detailed projections for annual savings.
However, it has described the new system as a straightforward and proven solution that can be installed in time for summer.
Part of wider aquatic facility upgrades
The work at Arrowtown Memorial Pool forms part of broader energy improvements at aquatic facilities across the Queenstown Lakes district.
Swimming pools are typically energy-intensive public facilities because they require continuous water circulation, filtration and heating.
Outdoor pools face additional challenges because they lose heat to the surrounding air, particularly during cooler nights and periods of unsettled weather.
Improving heating efficiency can therefore produce substantial reductions in energy use and emissions.
Councils throughout New Zealand are increasingly examining how public buildings and recreation facilities can move away from fossil-fuel systems.
Heat pumps, improved insulation, solar energy and upgraded control systems are among the measures being used to reduce long-term operating costs and environmental impact.
Balancing climate goals with community needs
The Arrowtown project demonstrates how infrastructure upgrades can address both climate objectives and immediate community expectations.
For QLDC, the environmental benefit is a major reduction in heating-related emissions.
For pool users, the practical benefit is simpler: warmer water and a more reliable summer swimming season.
The project also highlights the importance of replacing ageing equipment before failures disrupt public services.
The previous boiler breakdown occurred only days before opening, leaving little opportunity for a permanent replacement.
By completing the work well before the next season, the council has more time to test the system and resolve any technical issues.
Pool expected to reopen in late November
Arrowtown Memorial Pool remains on track to open on the final weekend of November for the 2026 to 2027 summer season.
More details about the pool timetable and the energy upgrade will be announced closer to opening.
After last season’s colder conditions, the council says swimmers can expect a warmer and more dependable experience.
For the Arrowtown community, the upgrade should mean the return of a more comfortable summer pool season, along with lower emissions and reduced operating costs for the council.
