Turku sets record for outdoor pool season as repairs run late

Turku’s Samppalinna outdoor swimming pool closed for the season on Sunday after staying open until November 1, a record, Yle reported. The season was extended because renovation work at the city’s largest indoor pool, Impivaara, has been delayed.

Dozens of swimmers came to the pool on its final day. The outdoor temperature was about 8 degrees Celsius, while the water was around 26 degrees. The pool opened in mid-May.

From Monday, Petrelius will be Turku’s only indoor pool available to recreational swimmers. The city is assessing whether Impivaara can reopen partly in December, ahead of the renovation’s expected completion around the turn of the year. Officials say they must first establish whether a partial opening would be safe.

City-run water exercise classes, swimming lessons and baby swimming sessions will resume only once Impivaara reopens. Outi Melander, who swims as part of her rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery, said she was looking forward to the pool’s return.

The Puolala swimming pool, which is used by swimming clubs, had been closed for about a month after bacteria were found. The latest water samples, taken on Sunday, were clear, allowing the pool to reopen to clubs.

Keeping Samppalinna’s water warm in cooler weather has raised costs to about 1,000 euros a day, according to the city’s energy manager. Heating costs were about 30,000 euros in July and August combined, around 30,000 euros in September, and were expected to reach a similar level in October. Pool draining and maintenance begin on Monday.