Balclutha's problem-plagued Centennial Pool will finally reopen to the public on Saturday, after more than eight months of delays.
Clutha District Council chief executive Charles Hakkaart announced yesterday all parts of the $4.3 million upgrade were now complete, with the exception of continued water loss from the new therapeutic pool.
The source of the water loss had been identified as a leaking drainage sump.
Mr Hakkaart said as a small token of appreciation for the community being without a pool for longer than expected, the council had decided to make entry free for all users during the October school holidays, from Saturday until October 14.
The pool has been closed since the end of February last year, when mechanical issues with the boiler struck.
Dunedin company Lund South Ltd won the $3.5 million contract to upgrade the pool.
It was initially expected to reopen in January but delays meant the opening date was pushed back several times.
Earlier this year, the council announced a $400,000 increase in the project budget, taking the total cost of the project to $4.3 million.
Mr Hakkaart said the pool would have a "soft opening" with reduced hours in the first week of the holidays, increasing to full hours in the second week.
Overall, the upgraded pool was looking "really good" and Mr Hakkaart believed it would provide a much improved experience for pool users.
He expected there would be some fine tuning required.
The council wanted to hear from pool users about the upgraded facility.
Feedback forms would be provided at the pool for people to fill out, he said.
Pool timetable:
• Saturday, Sept 29: 1pm to 4.30pm (general public use).
• Sunday, Sept 30: 10.30am to noon, and 1pm to 4.30pm (general public use).
• Monday, October 1-Friday, October 5: 9am to 4.30pm (general public use).
• Saturday, October 6: 1pm to 4.30pm (general public use).
• Sunday, October 7: 10.30am to noon, and 1pm to 5pm (general public use).
• Monday, October 8: Normal hours resume, from 6am.
