The Mount Hot Pools will be temporarily closed over the next two months for planned renewals and maintenance and will reopen in time for the busy Christmas holiday period.

The popular hot ocean water complex at the base of Mauao will close its doors on Monday October 9, and, all going to plan, will reopen at 7am on Wednesday December 6.

“Each of our aquatic facilities is required to close every few years for remedial work,” says Bay Venues Head of Aquatics Matthew Strange.

“The last closure of the Mount Hot Pools was in 2021. The time has come for us to replace all our pool tiles, which were installed back in 1991, and we also need to do some important maintenance work on the plant room and pool heating system.

“We will also use this opportunity to make improvements to the changing rooms and car parking management system and flow.”

Matthew says while there is never an ideal time to close, it is one of the quietest times of the year at the Mount Hot Pools – after the September school holidays and before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas/New Year holiday period and then Easter.

“We appreciate your understanding and patience while we do this important preventive maintenance and renewals work to ensure the Mount Hot Pools remains a high-quality facility for Tauranga residents and visitors alike.”

The Mount Hot Pools has been inducted into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame and last year was awarded the Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Accreditation.

While the facility is closed in October and November, regular users and visitors can access any of Tauranga’s other public aquatic facilities, including Mount Maunganui’s Baywave, Greerton Aquatic & Leisure Centre, and Otūmoetai Pool.

The popular outdoor Memorial Pool facility will also be opening for the summer season on November 6.

For Paul Nevison, who swims at the Mount Hot Pools six days a week, Baywave will temporarily fill the gap in his weekly routine.

Nevison has been coming to the Mount Hot Pools for 26 years. He swims at least 50 lengths of the hydrotherapy pool every morning he visits; the swimming is good for a health condition he has.

“I’ve actually worn a channel,” says the 86-year-old.

He warms down each session by walking from end to end of the pool, and then soaks his muscles in the spa.

“I had an old friend who used to come here with me years ago and he said, you can go into the hot pools feeling crook but you’ll never come out feeling crook. It does a lot for your spirit, as well as your body,” sats Paul.

Motioning towards Mauao, he then adds: “Because look at what we’re looking at.”

Keith Hume initially started coming to the Mount Hot Pools on the instructions of a physiotherapist after a golfing injury. That was about eight years ago. Now he comes five days a week for exercise, walking lengths of the hydrotherapy pool.

“I just enjoy it so much I keep coming back,” says the 80-year-old.

“It’s therapeutic. We’ve all got little aches and pains and it being salt water and warm, it’s therapeutic. It’s a fantastic asset for the city, it really is. I think it’s the envy of many places.”

Keith says he will also be going to Baywave over the next couple of months “because I still want to keep up with the exercise regime”.

Then the two friends will return to their favourite spot under Mauao and continue where they left off.