Balmy weather and a slowing economy led to swimmers flocking to Dunedin pools over the summer.Patronage at the St Clair Salt Water Pool grew by 6000, or almost 20%, compared with the previous summer period.Between October and March, 40,803 visited the pool.
About 36,000 visitors used the Mosgiel pool, up 2000 from the 2006-07 summer.
Port Chalmers had 16,500 swimmers, up from 14,500 in the previous period.
Dunedin City Council aquatic services manager Steve Prescott told the community development committee yesterday the pools had a great season and good weather had resulted in increased patronage.
When contacted later, Mr Prescott said Moana Pool was also tracking about 20,000 to 30,000 swimmers ahead of last year. A tally for the year would be completed at the end of this month.
Moana Pool usually attracts about 650,000 visitors a year.
He said the good summer undoubtedly helped the smaller pools, with people flocking to pools on nice days.
With the economy slowing, visiting the pool was a cheap recreation option, he said.
Swimsation, the swimming school run at several of the council's pools, has 1700 swimmers enrolled during the winter.
In the summer, more than 2000 swimmers were taking classes.
