Sport & recreation  |  19 May 2021

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Popular pools at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre will reopen at 5.30am on Friday 4 June in time for Queen’s Birthday weekend following extensive maintenance work.

The main pool, wave pool, spa and sauna have been closed since last November so that the pool plant, roof and air-conditioning system can be repaired and to allow for earthquake strengthening of the pool hall.

Christchurch City Council Head of Recreation, Sports and Events Nigel Cox says the Pioneer team is looking forward to welcoming people back to the pools when they reopen on Friday 4 June.

“While the closure has disrupted the routines of our regular pools users, the repair and strengthening work had to be completed,”  he says. “The additional benefits are the improved energy efficiency and water and air quality.

“With the work finished, we can’t wait to see people returning to make the most of this very popular facility.

“We also want to thank everyone for their patience and recognising the importance of our maintenance work to support an important community asset.”

The original completion date of mid-May 2021 had to be pushed out two weeks because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the shipping of materials required for the work.

The learn to swim pool, fitness centre, Southern Centre and stadium have remained open throughout the work.

The latest maintenance was in addition to work undertaken last year to repair the centre’s roof and air-conditioning system above the gym, group fitness area and spin studio.

There are plans to strengthen the floor and roof of Pioneer’s stadium following the opening of Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.