The annual maintenance closure at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, which traditionally occurs in late summer, will now take place each year in June.
Work will begin on June 4 this year and is expected to be complete by July 3.
This year’s maintenance is being combined with a retrofit project on the interior of the building.
This means that the typical three-week closure will be approximately four weeks this year, and the additional work impacts the fitness area as well as the scheduled closure of the pools.
“Shifting the maintenance closure from late summer to earlier in the year gives us the opportunity to complete our major maintenance at a time of the year when strict water restrictions are not in place,” said Don Stewart, North Cowichan’s director of parks and recreation.
“We have worked with our swim clubs and facility users to find a time of the year that works for everyone, and we look forward to welcoming patrons back with the complete facility reopening and summer schedule starting on July 4.”
The maintenance involves draining the wave and swirl pools annually, and also the competitive pool this year, with the combined volume of approximately 1.75 million litres of water, and then refilling it once work is complete.
During the maintenance windows in August, refilling the pool was at risk with escalating water restrictions that prohibit that activity.
During the four-week closure this year, there will be times when the fitness area is open, and the pools are closed, and vice versa.
There is also a short window, between June 11 and June 19, when the facility will be completely closed to the public.
For a detailed closure schedule, visit www.northcowichan.ca/recreation