Background
Owned and operated by tourism pioneers Ngai Tahu Tourism, The Glacier Hot Pools were established in Franz Josef in 2008 to offer a combined tourism and wellbeing experience, providing a new attraction for the area which complemented the nearby glacier.
The project was conceptualised to offer visitors a relaxing experience and encourage longer stays, utilising the existing natural rainforest to create a series of commercial but intimate pools.
The Design and Build
The goal during design and construction was to seamlessly integrate the pools into the surrounding rainforest environment by carefully placing the pools and buildings among existing trees.
For The Composite Group this necessitated a focus on the client’s vision of the pool complex being functional and well-engineered while leaving the rainforest looking as undisturbed as possible.
One of the main challenges we faced was the remote location which was five hours drive across the Southern Alps. Due to the large physical size of the main pools, they were manufactured in sections in our Christchurch factory then transported to site and assembled in place.
The Solution
Our factory worked with the project designers to create pools that would seamlessly integrate with the natural rainforest setting. In addition to the three large unique shaped pools, we also built several smaller private pools, showers for the bathrooms, two large water storage tanks, a 30m replica ice wall and a 2m high sculpture for catching rain water!
While installation had very exacting detail to be followed, the end result was a spectacular, relaxing hot springs environment surrounded by established native rainforest.
After the first 6 months of operations, Marketing Manager Kerry Walker was very pleased with the popularity of The Glacier Hot Pools, commenting in June 2009:
“We’ve had a dream start with visitor numbers well and truly exceeding our expectations,” she said. “We’re also getting fantastic feedback with customers soaking up the tranquil atmosphere and feeling totally rejuvenated after their visit, which is exactly what we were aiming to achieve.”
Ms Walker went on to say, “The pools and the setting are the perfect way to rest and rejuvenate in Franz Josef after a busy day of activities, either during the day or into the evening under a canopy of stars.”
