Beban Park Pool is re-opening on Monday, Jan 17 after being shut down since March 2020. The pool's weight room will be closed through at least Jan. 18. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Beban Park Pool to re-open for first time since start of pandemic

Jan 13, 2022 | 9:54 AM

NANAIMO — A vital recreational venue in Nanaimo is at last set to re-open, nearly two years after abruptly shutting due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Nanaimo announced on Monday Jan. 17, the Beban Park Pool and the rest of its amenities minus the weight room would re-open under existing 50 per cent capacity and proof of vaccination rules for people 12 and over.

A short set of winter swimming lessons will be viewable online on Monday with registration starting on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

A full set of lessons are planned to run in the spring, according to a City of Nanaimo news release.

The extended closure of Beban Park Pool allowed $255,000 worth of upgrades to be carried out.

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“There have been several improvements to Beban Pool, including new tiling in the washrooms, LED lighting upgrades, water-efficient taps and overall painting found throughout the facility,” the release stated.

The re-opening planned for early Oct. 2020 was pushed back due to an unexpected project.

The City’s director of parks, recreation and culture told NanaimoNewsNOW the main pool had an expansion joint form when water was added.

While most of Nanaimo’s main indoor recreation facilities re-opened in Sept. 2020, the Beban Park Pool stayed closed with the City monitoring demand and cost benefits.

Having two indoor pools takes pressure off the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, which experienced increased usage during Beban Pool’s closure.

Registration information for programs at Nanaimo’s pools and other recreation venues be viewed here.

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