Another Covid-19 Case Causes Further Disruption to Swimming Pools

Update Friday 4 March

Unfortunately, we’ve had another positive case of Covid-19 within our Aquatic Services team, which means:

• Kaponga Community Summer Pool will be closed tomorrow, but reopen as normal on Sunday 6 March

• Hāwera Aquatic Centre will close at the earlier time of 4pm on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March.

We apologise for the disruption, but the health and safety of our community and staff come first. Please be aware that more interruptions may occur if more staff test positive. The team are working hard to keep all pools open as long as possible with the limited staff available to do so. Thank you for understanding.

Sunday 27 February

We got through the weekend but unfortunately we have had another positive case of Covid 19 within our Aquatic Services team says group manager of community and infrastructure services, Fiona Aitken.

'This means that we have had to revisit our plan for operating our pools over the next two weeks until the end of the summer community pool season. The team have worked hard to ensure that current bookings for schools and swimming lessons will be honoured which means the following is what we can do with the limited staff availability," says Aitken.

• Waverley remains open normal hours
• Patea will be closed tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday and will open Wednesday to Sunday for the rest of the season. School bookings will continue as usual.
• Kaponga, Eltham, Rawhitiroa and Manaia will be closed after school during the week but open next weekend. All school bookings will still go ahead as booked.
• All bookings and programmes at the Hawera Aquatic Centre will continue including school bookings, aqua tots and after school lessons. However, the outdoor pool may be closed at times due to staffing levels.

"Hopefully we can make it through to the end of the summer community pool season without further disruption though we can’t rule it out if more staff fall ill and have to isolate. We know this will be disappointing for many and thank everyone for their understanding."