A $100,000 surprise price increase on repairs to the Greerton Pools is being processed through today's Tauranga City Council Monitoring Committee meeting.

Bay Venues Ltd was advised that upgrading the learner pool filtration system was likely to cost $150,000 and that was budgeted for in the Long Term Plan. Bay Venues is the council controlled organisation that operates the city pools.

Heating up the learner's pool is costing $100,000 more than expected.

The report to the committee from CCO relationships and governance manager Tracy Plane states Bay Venues was advised by industry experts during the project's planning phase who advised that $150,000 was a fair estimate.

When the project was put out to tender the quotes came in well above because the breadth of work exceeded the original scope. Following negotiations with the preferred contractor, a price of $250,000 was agreed.

The project upgrades the filtration system so the learners' pool can be heated 32.5 degrees, compared to the current 28 degrees. The warmer pool is considered more suitable for teaching children to swim, and will increase capacity for both swimming lessons and hydrotherapy/rehabilitation.

Because the pools were scheduled to shut down in July, and there was a short time to source parts and materials, the BVL board approved the reallocation of the additional $100,000 required. This money came from other projects scheduled to take place at Greerton Pool in 2016/17. The reallocation has no effect on BVL's overall budget for 2016/17.

The BVL board has the authority to reallocate funds for new capital projects within the same facility up to $100,000. Council approval is required for reallocation of funding over $100,000.

The revised business is being formally received by the Monitoring Committee because it is as the $100,000 threshold.