A serious staffing shortage at the Mataura Swimming Pool could be plugged by week's end but residents of the township still face travelling to nearby Gore for a dip in the meantime.
The Gore District Council has scanned far and wide to fill supervisor positions at the pool. The sudden departure of staff forced it to close some sessions in recent weeks, forcing swimmers to travel to Gore - 13km away - for practices and swims.
The Mataura Community Board received an update on the situation from council human resources manager Susan Jones, who hoped formal offers can be made to "preferred candidates" by the end of this week.
Seven people applied for the positions but only three attended interviews.
Once the offers are accepted, Mrs Jones said training will start and it is likely the supervisors will be ready for work in early December.
But the shortage has forced the council to close the pool last weekend and again this coming weekend.
"The situation is most regrettable but there is little that can be done without staff. It is compounded by most of the student lifeguards whom we rely on during weekends requiring leave for the forthcoming NCEA examinations."
There was also mounting pressure on the sessions that can be offered and maintained at Gore because of the extra numbers from Mataura, she said.
To alleviate any inconvenience to Mataura pool users, the council has arranged bus transport to be available twice daily on weekends to take swimmers to the Gore Aquatic Centre.
Entry charges for Mataura swimmers to the Gore pool will be at Mataura rates.
