13 November 2008 - 5.00pm

The lap pool at Alpine Aqualand in Frankton has been temporarily closed due to an unexplained pool lining pressure fault, acting general manager Alex Calwell said.

"The problem was identified this morning and the pool was closed while we consulted with the manufacturer. We are working on the fault and we have started to drain the lap pool," Mr Calwell said.

Meanwhile all other facilities at the Aquatic Centre are open for business and quick action had been taken to enable lap training for the public to be available in the smaller leisure pool.

"We acknowledge that some people are involved in training regimes, therefore we have been able to install four lanes in part of the 18m leisure pool to ensure those people have a short term option," Mr Calwell said.

Wakatipu High School pool offers public lane swimming on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6.15am to 8.30am.

"Once we have the lap pool drained we will know more but obviously we are hoping to have it fixed and ready to go again as quickly as possible," Mr Calwell said.

All Aqualand Swim school lessons will be moved from the lap pool to the leisure pool and continue as scheduled, although aqua fitness and master swimming classes had been cancelled until further notice. The hydroslide, lazy river, spa pool and the remainder of the leisure pool are not affected.

A representative from the lap pool liner company is travelling to Queenstown first thing tomorrow to assess the situation. The liner is under a 10-year guarantee.

Public lane swimming would be temporarily available in the leisure pool as follows:

Today, 4 lanes available until 4pm and 6 to 8pm; Friday, 2 lanes available 6am to 9.30am and 12pm to 8pm (school swimming 9.30 to 12 unaffected); Saturday, 4 lanes available 6am to 8.45am, 2 lanes 8.45 to 12.00, 4 lanes 12.00 to 8pm, Sunday, 4 lanes available 6am to 8.00pm; Monday, 4 lanes all day until 4pm and after 6pm; Tuesday,  4 lanes from 6am to 9.30am, 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm (school swimming 9.30 to 12.00 unaffected); Wednesday, 4 lanes from 6am to 9.30am, 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm (school swimming 9.30 to 12.00 unaffected); Thursday, 4 lanes from 6am to 9.30am, 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm (school swimming 9.30 to 12.00 unaffected).

ENDS

For further information please contact Alex Calwell Ph 03 450 9005

By: Kiri