The Pahoa Community Aquatic Center, which has been closed since last year due to damage caused by the Kilauea eruption, will reopen 9 a.m. Wednesday following a blessing ceremony, according to a statement from the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation.

“We have hit another milestone in lava recovery efforts and are excited to have an opening date,” said Roxcie Waltjen, Parks and Recreation director.

The pool will be open on a limited schedule while the county works to fill two vacant full-time lifeguard positions. Those hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. This schedule ensures the county will have enough lifeguards in case of emergencies and to go forward with a free-swim schedule, water aerobics classes and practice time for the USA swim team, Waltjen said.

Fine threads of volcanic glass known as Pele’s hair needed to be removed from pool’s filter, motor and pump, and cracks to the pool’s basin and deck areas needed to be repaired.

According to the Hawaii Tribune-­Herald, fixing the aquatic center was the first of many steps to restore Pahoa District Park’s facilities following its use as a temporary evacuation shelter during the eruption. Repairs to the aquatic center cost an estimated $146,000.

For more information call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 961-8694 or email aquatics@hawaiicounty.gov.