Aquatics Center Pool to Reopen with Full Schedule by Monday

The 25-meter pool at the will open to the public for the first time in more than three months on Thursday evening.

Recreation and lap swimming is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 17 and 18. The high school and age-group club teams will be using the pool earlier on those days.

The pool will then close for the weekend for some final touch-up work, then reopen with a full schedule on Monday, Nov. 21.

The pool and aerobics room  as construction crews from W.G. Straga, Inc., of Pitman, began a $2.8 million renovation project that included a new roof and HVAC system. The work was the final piece of an $18 million makeover for the , which also includes the Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City Arts Center, Ocean City Historical Museum and the Senior Center.

The aerobics room -- home to yoga and exercise classes -- is still under construction and is expected to be complete some time in December.

The pool will convert to a new saltwater chlorination system in about a month. The new technology is reportedly less irritating to skin, eyes and respiratory systems than traditional chlorine systems.