The solar-powered Ōpuke hot pool is open in Methven at the foot of the Hart Mountain Ski Resort. Photo/George Hurd

Thomas Bywater is a writer and digital producer for Herald Travel

Competition in downtown Canterbury is heating up because the Alpine town of Methven has built a new hot spring pool at the foot of Mount Hart.

The solar Ōpuke thermal pool is the first in the country. Water is taken from the Rangitata River and heated by 500 photovoltaic panels.

Opened today by Methven Adventures and Minister of Tourism Stuart Nash, this hot spring pool hopes to attract up to 150,000 visitors to Methven every year.

Greet the first bathers in time in summer, hoping that the new swimming pool will help balance the seasonal nature of the Alpine tourist town and attract tourists to leave the nearby slopes for post-ski soaking.

NZ Ski has been the main supporter of the project on the edge of the Mt Hutt ski resort.

Now, at the end of the ten-year process and the two-year construction period, the first batch of swimmers have been able to try the swimming pool.

James Mackenzie, board member of Methven Adventures and current Hutt ski area manager, said that the idea of ​​using mountain water and solar energy is at the core of the project.

Unlike other places in Canterbury, Methven has no natural geothermal hot water source.

Under the gleaming bank of 500 solar cells and the scenery of the Southern Alps, the temperature soars.

"Each panel is roughly equivalent to an electric kettle," Mackenzie said. However, heating Methven's new swimming pool is more elegant than making a cup of tea.

The computer room circulates water every 30 minutes, "So, if Rangitata is a bit agitated, you won't really notice it. The water in the pool will become crystal clear."

Inspired by the Rakira Canyon, the entrance of the stone building welcomes guests with running water, and the dressing room is just around the corner.

Minister Nash called the opening "a vote of confidence in the future of tourism and the regional economy around Methven and Hutt Mountain."

With a government loan of US$7.5 million to supplement private and regional funds, the Ministry has invested heavily in the project.

Fortunately, the hot pool has proved to be a pandemic. As of September, Canterbury's domestic tourism expenditure was A$1.44 billion, an increase of 25% over the previous year.

Te He Puna Taimoan, the seawater thermal pool at New Brighton Beach in Christchurch, will receive 75,000 visitors per year in 2020 and is often full.

Compared with Hanmer Springs, which celebrates its 150th anniversary next year, Ōpuke is a new spa in the neighborhood.

Compared to Cantabrian's competitors, Methven Spa is significantly smaller and more upscale.

The 1200 square meter building covers an area of ​​2 hectares, and the pool is divided into two different areas. There is a dressing room that can accommodate 50 adults, and there are additional family dressing rooms.

The Discovery Pool is a family-friendly water park-with small swimming pools, caves and water cannons.

The tranquil pool on the other side is connected to the spa. It offers a variety of treatments and a private wooden solar bathtub.

You won't find any water slides or rubber rings, but there is a swimming bar. Winter is here, this feature may be very popular with rehabilitation skiers.