Ranfurly Pool is gearing up for summer with more opening hours throughout the season than in previous years.

The pool, which opens for the season on Monday, December 4, will be open from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

There will be at least two lifeguards on duty during those hours. The longer opening hours mean staff have regular hours to work rather than split shifts.

A part time lifeguard will also be rostered to facilitate breaks and cleaning duties.

There will be bookings such as school and learn to swim lessons when the pool will need to be closed to the public for short periods, but will be advertised in advance.

Central Otago District Council parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said the request for longer hours was put to the Maniototo Community Board (MCB), which it has supported.

“We have listened to community feedback who wanted more regular hours of opening and the MCB were supportive of the permanent change.”

In previous years the pool, which was typically open from mid-November to early April, had much shorter opening hours.

Public supervised sessions were previously available from 3pm to 8pm on weekdays during the school term, 1.30pm to 8pm in the school holidays and 1.30pm to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

You can always check The Central App Things to Do page and click on Activities Swimming Pool - Ranfurly Pool