Wodonga Council hasn’t confirmed an opening date for WAVES which is undergoing major tile replacement works only five years after the pool opened.

It traditionally opens in September with concerns the costly tile works have slipped behind schedule.

The Albury and Lavington outdoor swim centres have locked in opening dates of September 17 and October 2 respectively.

Along with WAVES the three pools will be under the management of Aligned Leisure for the first time this summer as part of a cross-border deal agreed to by Albury and Wodonga councils.

The Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre management made the switch to Aligned Leisure on July 1.

Wodonga planning and infrastructure director Leon Schultz said the quality of the “finished product” at WAVES would not be “jeopardised at the expense of speed”.

“The tiling is being done in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and is subject to the weather, in that it can’t be too cold or too hot,” he said.

“The decision to undertake the works in the off-season is to minimise the disruption to our community.

“The project is on track and the council, with the contractors, will work to open the outdoor pool on schedule.”

A Wodonga Council spokeswoman confirmed there will be two membership options open to pool users on both sides of the border.

A Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre membership will provide access to all four Albury-Wodonga aquatic facilities.

Signing up at either WAVES, Albury or Lavington will provide access between the summer-only facilities.

Membership pricing is still to be confirmed.

“This will commence for the upcoming summer season,” the spokeswoman said.

“Websites are still in development and once completed will provide further information to members and customers.”

Abury-based Morgan Ceramic Tilers, who have previously tiled the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre, are carrying out the works at WAVES with a $484,181 contract approved by council in April.