In a Facebook post last Friday the Central Otago District Council (CODC) announced Ranfurly Pool hours would be reduced due to staff shortages.
The changes, which drew much ire from community members, included reducing hours and closing the season on March 24, earlier than in previous years.
However, on Wednesday, the council announced community members offering to staff the pool meant hours would remain the same. In a statement, CODC group manager community experience David Scoones said the availability of lifeguards was a challenge councils around the country faced.
"Ranfurly Pool hours will continue as normal, thanks to the community and staff who came forward to offer their services over the past few days."
Hours would remain as they had over the summer, with a new closure date of April 4.
Maniototo Community Board member and swimming club organiser Becky McAuley said the pool was a vital resource in the area over summer.
"We need to staff it, we need to have it open, because there’s not a lot else for [the community]."
She was pleased community members had stepped forward and the council had continued with the original hours.
"[There is] nothing like a bit of Facebook communication to get things happening ... It’s all worked out."
Mrs McAuley said in previous years, inconsistent opening hours had made it hard to keep pool staff.
In October, the board approved extended hours for the pool over summer, to eliminate the split-shift model the pool previously worked under.
Mrs McAuley said she hoped these changes would help retain staff.
"Hopefully, in future years, it will just continue to build on numbers and staff and these little issues won’t happen.
"The community is so thankful that it’s open all day," she said.
CODC acting aquatics manager Dillon Charleville said there had been a slight increase in patronage over the summer.
As of last week, the pool had been used 2465 times since opening for the season in early December, up from 2266 last season.
"Compared to last season we have seen a slight increase in numbers, but I believe these will continue to grow as the public becomes acclimated to the pool being continuously open," Mr Charleville said.
