Keeping cool at the pool

File picture by Paul Rickard

PATRONAGE at the Olympic Pool over the Christmas-New Year holiday period was “a mixed bag”, complex duty manager Kevin Weatherley has said.

He put it down to the inconsistent weather.

Patronage peaked over the Rhythm and Vines music festival during which 1300 people visited the complex each day.

“When the sun was out, the pools were pumping,” Mr Weatherley said.

From December 22 to January 10 more than 8500 people went through the pool turnstile.

“That's comparable to previous seasons,” he said.

Many R&V visitors enjoyed a full day out and took the opportunity to us the outoor facilities at the pool.

He described the behaviour of people at the pools as "awesome".

“There was only one medical-related incident during the holiday period and we received lots of positive feedback about the repainted hydroslide and the 33-metre outdoor pool.”

Both facilities were renovated and repaired by Gisborne District Council before Labour Weekend.

Zac King, 11, was swimming in the outdoor pool when The Herald visited.

It was his second visit to the complex in three days and he usually stayed for three hours, he said.

Zac said he preferred the pools over the beach because there was more to do such as the hydroslide, the diving, therapy and 50m pools, and the inflatable crocodiles.