Cardrona’s hot pools and spa complex, which was set to begin construction this year on its 8800m2 site on the Wanaka side of Cardrona Village, has stalled.

The complex received consent two years ago for seven outdoor pools, five private hot tubs, spa treatments, a sauna and steam room, as well as 16 apartments, retail stores and an onsite cafe. 

The complex is the concept of Mike and Bridget Healy, who said they were eagerly looking forward to announcing the start of the project this year when they learned the project had become the victim of the pandemic’s impact on global business.

“Unfortunately our agreement with an Auckland entity was cancelled in February due to their international business interests struggling to recover from the adverse effects of Covid,” Mike said. 

“Suffice to say the setback was disappointing for us and also the very supportive local community.”

The consented complex is now on the market.

As a result, the whole site, including the resource consents and the spa’s completed feasibility study, are on the market and they’re “quietly confident” of negotiating a sale agreement within the next three to six months, Mike said. 

The sale has already generated a fair degree of interest, with a lot of enquiries regarding the apartment block “which may prompt us to sell this 3,600m2 zone separately,” Mike said. 

“We are currently fielding calls from Auckland and Australia but would welcome local investment, as people from the region have a great appreciation and respect for the area.”

He said they were “extremely grateful” for the support they’ve received from Cardrona Valley locals, particularly the adjoining landowners who were integral in the project achieving consent and amalgamating 8,800m2 of land into one title earlier this year.

While it has been a “stressful” introduction to their first venture of this scale they believe their confidence in the hot pools and spa complex is well founded.

Two new hot pool complexes have recently opened in Christchurch and Methven with higher than anticipated daily numbers, Mike said.

“We know that the right people will invest in this unique opportunity and we look forward to the region opening the first outdoor hot pools within the next two years,” he said.  

PHOTOS: Wanaka App