For 43 years it's been a focal point for Katikati's fitness fans, students and families, and this summer will be no exception at the Dave Hume Pool, which has undergone a facelift both inside and out.

Barbara Martin, chairperson of the Dave Hume Pool Trust says the murals by award winning artist Shane Walker on the outside walls of the complex are 'stunning”, while the inside has been re-painted.

Murals by award winning artist Shane Walker have been painted on the Dave Hume Pool complex at Katikati.

The complex opened for the season on October 18, and with its warm water temperature, is being well used by swimmers of all ages.

During the summer school holidays, when an inflatable bouncy castle is installed, the pool is popular with families and there are even barbeques available for public use too.

The pool caters to many different sections of the community, and is regularly used by various groups and organisations including Katikati Primary School, Katikati College, Matahui School and the Katikati Masters Swimming Club.

Opened in 1973, the main pool is 33m long and ranges in depth from 97cm in the shallow end to 102cm deep. The temperature is varied from 25C to 27C depending on the time of the season. There is also one smaller learners' pool, ideal for pre-schoolers, where the temperature is generally just above 30C.

Katikati's Dave Hume Pool is now open for the summer season.

Available activities at the pool include public lane swimming; learn to swim programs for children and adults, aqua-aerobics, swim schools and Waihi Beach Surf Club and generally having a good time.

Barbara says getting the pool ready for this summer season wasn't without its challenges.

'Autumn was looking good, always settled weather then, so the pool was closed earlier than usual to facilitate the massive job of re-painting the main pool. And then the weather woes began. Too much rain before the temperatures dropped and unfortunately, the painting had to be put on hold until the spring - much to the disappointment of all involved, both pool users and administrators.

'To ensure that the task was not delayed a second time, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council agreed to cover the pool and so, come September, the painting began. The scaffolding was erected, the plastic wrap fixed in place, two coats of paint applied and after a few worrying weather moments, it was all done.

'Thanks to Peter Allsop, senior pool supervisor, for the many hours he has taken to oversee the successful completion of the paint job, appointing new lifeguards and getting the pool in tip-top condition before opening day,” she says.

During Term Four, while schools are using the pool, the 12.15pm to 1.15pm slot will always be available to the public, along with the 6am to 9am lane swimming slot. Other slots will also be available but their times vary from week to week due to the six day timetabling of the college.

The full pool schedule can be viewed online at www.davehumepool.org.nz.