New Penticton pool set to open

Swimmers in the South Okanagan who have been waiting 14 months to take a dip in the pool will not have to wait much longer.

On Monday, Penticton’s new $23 million community centre pool facility will open to the public.

The community pool has everything from fountains to a giant waterslide to a ten-lane lap pool.

The new facility also features a leisure pool, fitness centre, new change rooms and a daycare centre.

But it has not been without its controversy.

The pool was closed for more than a year, meaning many people had to travel to other communities for swim clubs and lessons.

36 people were also laid off, and although they’ve now been called back, the city did spend time looking at the possibility of privatizing the facility.

The price of the new community centre pool was split between the three levels of government.

An adult ticket to swim at the new pool is now $5.80.

The pool will open Monday at 7 am.

The city will be holding public guided tours and an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new pool facility Saturday at 11 am.