After months of anticipation and controversy, the Harrison Hot Springs Public Mineral Pool has re-opened once more.
Tourism Harrison River Valley announced new hours for the public mineral pool, effective Sunday, Sept. 18. The pool was closed for more than two years during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pool’s current hours are as follows:
- Mondays and Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
RELATED: New Harrison Resort GM strategizing to reopen public pool
Tourism Harrison initially announced the pool would be reopening in mid-May, but it was soon announced that the pool would remain closed due to lack of staff. Resort management has consistently stated that the main reason the pool remained closed was a lack of certified lifeguards. Through a multi-faceted approach – from hiring on lifeguards from Harrison Watersports and providing accommodations for lifeguards – it seems the issue is beginning to see a resolution, to the relief of residents and tourists.
The level of concern for the public pool’s sustained closure grew to the point that MLA Kelli Paddon became involved and Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP Brad Vis was looped into the conversation.
Throughout the summer, residents grew increasingly concerned about the pool remaining closed. Some believed it to be in violation of Harrison Hot Spring Resort’s conditional water licence. A portion of the license reads that the “flow of water shall be made available to the public at all times between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day, at a point to which the public is entitled to free access or to which the licensee grants free public access.”
The Observer reached out to provincial officials and received no comment to date.
@adamEditor18
adam.louis@ ahobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.