The Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre's pools will close to the public next month for a three-week period to allow for annual maintenance and improvements.
The indoor pools will close entirely from Thursday, 15 May and re-open on Friday, 6 June, 2025.
While the fitness centre will remain open, the outdoor pool will have limited access to pre-arranged groups and clubs only.
During this time contractors will install new epoxy flooring, recondition the pool pumps, replace the air handling unit, and install energy-efficient pool covers for the outdoor pool.
Dillon Charleville, Manager Aquatic and Recreation, said the works represent necessary investment in the facility's infrastructure and future sustainability.
"These improvements will significantly enhance the experience for our users while also making our operations more environmentally sustainable," Mr Charleville said.
"The new epoxy flooring will improve safety and appearance throughout the Centre, while the pool covers for our outdoor pool will substantially reduce energy consumption."
The outdoor pool covers have been fully funded by a grant from Trust Horizon, supporting Whakatāne District Council's climate change targets while delivering operational cost savings.
Additional maintenance works during the shutdown include:
- Upgraded electrical equipment protection in the plant room
- Replacement of the chlorine system
- Cleaning of the hydroslide exterior
- Paint refresh throughout the facility
“We know the closure falls during term time and will create some disruption to regular Learn to Swim classes, Aqua Classes and general users of the centre, however, we’ve timed this closure to avoid the busy school holiday period and to coincide with the cooler months where we usually see a dip in users visiting the facility,” Mr Charleville explained.
Learn to Swim programmes for term two will be shorter, with pricing adjusted. Portable toilets will be available for gym and outdoor pool users.
When the facility reopens on Friday, 6 June, users can expect a refreshed, safer, and more efficient aquatic centre.
"We appreciate the community's understanding as we complete these essential improvements. We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to an enhanced facility that will serve our communities well for years to come." Mr Charleville said.