The Castlegar swimming pool has seen an increase in people using the facility since the Nelson aquatic centre closed for renovations in October.
The pool was up 8,000 visits from 2014 to 2015, and up 1,400 visits in December alone.
“We do have lots of Nelson families that come and participate in our public swim,” says Verona Walker, recreation supervisor.
But the Nelson closure is not the only change affecting pool attendance. The Castlegar facility also now has public swimming whenever it’s open and has extended its hours.
“We have now public swimming and lap lanes open for all our hours,” says Walker.
Public swimming and the lap lanes are now available any time the pool is open, and the pool is now open at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The pool has also increased its programming.
“We have aquafit classes five more nights a week, and we’ve got way more pre-school swim lessons — there’s kind of a baby boom going on it seems in the community — so lots of preschool lessons and parent and tot lessons,” says Walker.
The Nelson aquatic centre is expected to be closed for a total of 11 months, but there is no fixed date for when it will re-open.