Major facelift for training pool

FACELIFT: The training pool, before and after. PICTURES: DAVE CAMPBELL

The Splash Centre's large training pool on the older side of the complex is enjoying a renovation, with the repainting of the pool surface being just one part of the pool's major facelift.
Local contractors Alan Tong Ltd completed the painting work. To start the process, about 650,000 litres of water were removed from the pool, taking about five hours. Half a day was spent preparing the surface, then three coats of paint were applied to the bottom and sides, over three days. The lane lines were then applied on top, each requiring two coats. Five days of curing followed, after which the process of refilling the pool, heating it and treating the water could begin again.
Splash Centre users will notice other improvements too. Wanganui firm Strong Electrical Ltd used scaffolding in the pool cavity to remove the main lights above the pool. The old-style tubing fluorescent lights have been replaced with new LED lighting which is much easier on the eyes and the environment, and will enhance energy savings for the Splash Centre. The lane rope holders have been replaced, diving blocks cleaned and new water grates (that catch the overflow) installed. Even the lane ropes themselves were painstakingly cleaned by hand, requiring more than 40 hours.
A brief closure of all the facilities on that side of the complex was implemented, but this was paramount to public safety given the paint chemicals involved. Some patrons may wonder why the work was done during the school holidays, however, oddly enough, this was the ideal time. During term time, significant numbers of visiting school groups use the training pool on a daily basis, as well as the Aquajet Swim School and the Wanganui Swim Club. The Wanganui Swim Club is the biggest user of the pool, training twice a day, five days a week and on the weekend.
Splash Centre facility manager Dave Campbell is confident people will be pleased with the results. "Closing the pool at any time is not ideal," he said. "However, maintenance is important, and this was the best time to do it before the paint completely disappeared from the bottom of the pool."
All of this was scheduled to be done in just two weeks, ready for action when the Wanganui Swim Squad entered the newly-painted pool at 6am earlier this week.
¦Sport Wanganui proudly manages the Splash Centre in partnership with Wanganui District Council. For more information about Sport Wanganui visit sportwanganui.co.nz, or find them on Facebook.