The Prince George Aquatic Centre will be welcoming more swimmers and offering more services starting in January.
In a report going before city council on Monday, city director of community services and public safety Adam Davey said Phase 3 of the provincial return-to-sport plan will allow the pool to welcome more swimmers and offer more services next year.
The aquatic centre reopened on Sept. 8 with new public safety measures in place, after closing in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Since opening the pool, the Aquatic Centre has had a 99 (per cent) fill rate of all registered swim blocks totalling 4,310 customers between the dates of September 8th – 30th," Davey wrote. "Since early October, swim blocks have increased from forty (40) bathers to fifty (50) bathers with fill rates remaining at near full capacity."
Under the current schedule, the pool offers five swimming blocks per day on weekdays and four per day on weekends. Each block is either 90 minutes or two hours long, and a maximum of 50 pool users are allowed at one time.
Under the new schedule proposed to begin in January, the pool will offer five swim blocks a day every day. Each block will be up to 2.5 hours long, and will allow either 65, 80 or 130 swimmers.
In addition, diving boards and towers will reopen during "everyone welcome" swims on the weekend, and aquafit and lifeguard programs will resume. However, the sauna, steam room and fitness centre will remain closed.
Physical distancing measures will still be in place, including limits on how many people can use the hot tub, lazy river and swim lanes.
"Based upon thirty-five (35) weekly swim blocks up from the current thirty-three (33) swim blocks we estimate 2,800 customers will attend the Aquatic Centre each week and 11,200 customers per month," Davey wrote. "Swimmer occupancy is estimated to have a 40 (per cent) increase in bathers from current operations. Current and planned pool operations are supported by Northern Health and take into consideration the heath, well-being and recreational interests and needs of residents while balancing fiscal responsibility."
For more information, or to register to swim, go online to www.princegeorge.ca/Things%20to%20Do/Pages/Recreation%20and%20Activities/Aquatics.aspx.
