MULTI-million pound refurbishments at Stratford Leisure Centre are going swimmingly.
This week saw the official opening of the temporary pool, which will replace the Bridgefoot centre’s main swimming pool while major works are carried out.
The temporary pool – situated in the car park – has been provided as part of the ASA British Gas Pools4Schools programme and will be available in tandem with the existing facilities.
Although there is currently no public programme, contractors SLM – Everyone Active will offer water safety days to schools and leisure centre users will have the opportunity to try the temporary pool before phase one of the revamp begins in January.
The main pool will offer swimming lessons, public swimming and parties until December when visitors will move to the temporary pool for five months.
As part of the £5 million project, some of the council-owned building is being upgraded for the first time in around three decades.
The refurbishments include changes to the sports hall, a new entrance, dance studio and a £289,000 climbing wall.
Originally scheduled to begin in August, delays meant the start date of the refurbishment was pushed back into the new year.
It is now anticipated the works should be completed by September.
*SLM – Everyone Active will continue to run the district’s leisure centres until 2021.
The company has been responsible for the operation of Stratford District Council’s four leisure centres in Shipston, Southam, Studley and Stratford since 1991.
In 2010 the contract was retendered and subsequently awarded to SLM for a period of seven years.
However, the group’s biggest leisure centre in Stratford is currently undergoing a £5million redevelopment, which could result in a loss of income for them and significant closure costs to Stratford District Council.
But after discussing the issue with council chiefs, SLM offered to waive their claim in return for a four-year contract extension.
And at a meeting on Monday (October 6) members of the district council’s Cabinet formally rubber stamped the agreement.
It means SLM will now be responsible for looking after the council-owned facilities until June 2021.
