1/4 Swimming pool Bijtelskil in Sleeuwijk is thoroughly cleaned (photo: Imke van de Laar)
You may not have to think about it with this weather, but the outdoor pools will open again in a month. And so at swimming pool Bijtelskil in Sleeuwijk there is plenty of mopping, hauling and cleaning.
The pool is still empty. Wilma van Rijn is sweeping and mopping with her colleagues at the bottom. “It’s quite a job! We have to remove leaves, spray the bin clean, patio furniture has to be cleaned and replaced. It’s a lot of maintenance and cleaning jobs.”
The swimming pool has been given a new coating and new tiles this year. Therefore, the job is less heavy than usual. “Yes, that saves a few hours of cleaning because there is no deposit on these tiles and walls yet,” says Wilma with a laugh.
“We have many volunteers who spontaneously offer their help.”
Swimming pool Bijtelskil attracts about 50,000 visitors in a beautiful summer. Everything must be in tip-top order. Since February, volunteers have been working every week to prepare the outdoor pool. “You’d be amazed at what needs to be cleaned up after the winter. But it’s going to be okay because we have many volunteers who spontaneously offer their help.”
When everything is clean, another huge job follows: filling the two large baths and the paddling pool. Wilma explains: “It takes about a week before there is enough water in it. And then it has to be brought up to temperature and we have to make sure that the chlorine content is correct.”
“When we open, people will be queuing here in bathrobes.”
The swimming pool will open at the end of next month, on Monday 24 April. The regular visitors are already looking forward to it. And Wilma too. “Then people are already queuing up at seven in the morning in their bathrobes. Ready to kick off the season. So bring it on, the nice weather!”