Parks & Recreation

Oasis diving into swim season

Published: 18 Sep 2020 10:34am

It’s time to suit up and dive into the warmer months. And that’s exactly what Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre staff have spent the past week doing as preparations begin towards the opening of the 50 metre outdoor pool next week.

The 50 metre pool will be open from Monday 21 September on limited hours due to COVID-19 restrictions, however patrons can expect a shiny and clean pool for the start of the summer swimming season ahead.

Oasis has this year engaged scuba divers to clean the pool floor and walls with power washers after a long and cold winter when the outdoor facility was closed.

It is the first time divers have been used for cleaning the outdoor pool with one of the main advantages eliminating the need to empty water from the pool over winter.

Oasis Programs Supervisor Fiona Claridge said the new concept had worked well and proved no greater challenge than previous cleaning methods with an empty pool.

“We’ve had two divers in the pool and spotters ensuring everything proceeds smoothly above and below the water,” Ms Claridge said.

“The pool is looking fantastic. We’re ready to open on Monday but advise patrons there will be changes and we’re asking everyone to work with the lifeguards and listen to their advice.”

Life guards on edge of swimming pool at Oasis — **ON GUARD:** Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre lifeguards Isobel Strong and Phil Stone were on duty at the pool this week, helping to prepare the outdoor facility for opening on Monday 21 September.

The pools will have capacity limits to keep to four square metres per person.

“We’re asking patrons when they come in for leisure swimming to try to stay in one pool if they can … our COVID-safety officer will be doing head counts regularly,” Ms Claridge said.

Oasis pool hours and bookings

The Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre’s 50-metre pool will reopen on Monday with limited hours available due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Bookings will also be required for the Program Pool and 25 metre pool for certain times of the day. The details and availability of pools are:

50 Metre Pool

Operating on the following limited hours

Weekdays

6.00am - 9:30am
12pm - 2pm
3pm - 6pm

Weekends

8:30am - 11:30am
1:30pm - 3:00pm

Program Pool

Bookings required from Monday 21 September for the following times:

Weekdays

9am - 1pm

Weekends

9:30am - 1:30pm

Bookings can be made the day prior or the day of. Bookings can be made for one hour or half hour time slots. These times will be shared with swimming lessons.

25 Metre Pool

Bookings are required for lap swimming for the following times:

Monday to Friday

4pm - 7pm