With summer and the most popular outdoor swimming weather fast approaching, the schedule is out for regional indoor swimming pool closures.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) uses those warmer months to complete annual maintenance on the pools. According to an April 21 news release, this helps “extend the life of the facilities and minimize unexpected closures throughout the year."
Where, when and what's happening
The pool closures are scheduled to ensure that at least two pools are open to the public at any one time, the document noted.
At Sechelt Aquatic Centre, the pool, wet areas and change rooms will be closed from June 1 and are slated to re-open July 2. The weight room and fitness studio will be open their regular hours during that timeframe, but closed on June 15, 22 and 29.
The entire Gibsons and District Aquatic Facility will be closed from July 2 with its re-opening set for July 23.
There will also be a full facility closure for the Pender Harbour Aquatic and Fitness Centre from Aug. 2 until Sept. 2.
During these closures, water is drained from the wet areas (pool, hot tub etc.) of some of the facilities so that the maintenance work can be completed, the release notes. Ongoing maintenance of boilers and pumps, painting and tile and grout work is also scheduled.
Pender pool’s sauna will be worked on, lighting maintenance throughout the building at the Gibsons pool is slated, and repairs to the big red slide at the Sechelt pool are to take place. The slide, which opened with the facility in 2007, has been closed for an extended period.
The SCRD stated in the release, “We appreciate our community’s understanding while vital work takes place to ensure our facilities can remain in great shape year-round." The public is invited to stay updated on the schedules for these facilities at www.scrd.ca.
Sunday closures
More immediately, the SCRD has announced Sunday closures due to staffing shortages.
The Sechelt Aquatic Centre pool will be closed Sundays, though the weight room remains open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on those days, and the Gibsons pool will be open Sundays 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"The SCRD has recently hired new aquatic staff who are currently in training. Additionally, SCRD recently hosted lifeguard training which should hopefully increase the number of people available to apply for lifeguard positions with the SCRD," the news release noted.
