The problem-plagued Centennial Pool reopened to the public after eight months of delays during the facility's upgrade kept pushing out the project's finish date.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he was glad to see the pool finally reopen.
"It's a beautiful facility and it's great to get our kids in the pool. It's really neat seeing all the babies lining up to go in the water for the first time."
He said he hoped the council's decision to make entry free for all users during the October school holidays, until October 14, would get a good response from residents.
Balclutha teenager Jema Wall said she and half-sister Zoe Humphries thought the pool looked great.
"Zoe told all her friends and teachers she was coming today.
"She was pretty excited. As soon as she walked in she was like, 'Oh my gosh!'."
Zoe said she wanted to go swimming each day of the school holidays.
"I'd love to come every day. I hope Jema will take me! I can't remember the last time I went swimming."
Last week the council announced all parts of the $4.3 million upgrade had now been completed, except for a continuing leak from the new therapeutic pool, which would remain closed until a drainage sump had been repaired.
The pool had been closed since the end of February last year, when mechanical problems with the boiler arose.
Dunedin company Lund South Ltd won the $3.5 million contract to upgrade the pool.
It was initially expected to reopen in January but delays meant the date was pushed back several times.
Earlier this year, the council announced a $400,000 increase in the project budget, lifting the total cost to $4.3 million.
