Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre's (WRAC) 50-metre Olympic swimming pool is about to close for maintenance and for the first time, brave swimmers will be able to test the heated outdoor waters of Thorndon Pool at lunchtime on weekdays throughout winter.
WRAC, in Kilbirnie, is scheduled to close its main pool on Monday 15 June and it is expected to be out of action until Monday 31 August. As with all City Council indoor swimming pools, WRAC has a five-yearly facelift.
Recreation Wellington Manager Julian Todd says that while lane swimmers will have to go elsewhere for a swim, some of the water-based classes have already been accommodated in other Council pools throughout the city.
"Apart from the crèche, everything else at WRAC - the hydrotherapy pool, ‘Spray' for children, the spa, sauna, fitness centre and café will stay open throughout the maintenance period," says Julian.
"All we ask is that WRAC's regular lane swimmers bear with us and use some of the city's other pools until we've finished the work. They'll be pleased with the results when they come back."
The maintenance will include tiling work in the main pool, reconditioning work on pumps, motors and valves, pipe work on the heating, ventilation and filtration systems, and paint work.
CBD workers might want to try out Thorndon Pool at lunchtime over the coming months; the pool will be open from 12noon-2pm on weekdays while work is taking place at WRAC.
"We want to accommodate as many regular WRAC lane swimmers as we can," says Julian. "It'll also be interesting to see how many people use the outdoor pool during that time.
"For those who prefer to swim indoors, we recommend heading to Freyberg Pool on Oriental Parade or Karori Pool."
