WORCESTER’s new £10.5million swimming pool at Perdiswell Leisure Centre could be opened by a Rio Olympian according to City Council leader Adrian Gregson.
Speaking at a council meeting last night (Tuesday), Coun Gregson confirmed a formal opening would be held on January 24 and the authority was ‘in discussions’ with a British Olympian who competed at the Rio Games this summer.
Set to open to the public on January 7, the structural work on the pool is now finished and the focus has shifted to getting the fixtures and fittings in place, from changing room lockers to the reception desk.
Since November 2015, the pool has been the centrepiece of a major extension and refurbishment of Perdiswell Leisure Centre that will create a competition-standard facility to attract visitors from across the UK.
Fully accessible for people of all abilities, the eight-lane main pool measures 25 metres by 17 metres and boasts poolside seating for 266 spectators.
The wider refurbishment of Perdiswell Leisure Centre is happening at the same time and the revamped sports hall has been open since September, with a new gym, fitness studios and other facilities following in the new year.
Coun Jabba Riaz, Worcester City Council cabinet member for clean, green and leisure services, said: “I think everyone in Worcester will feel as proud as I am to see this remarkable new competition-standard pool start to become a reality.
“With British success at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics still fresh in our minds, I’m especially pleased that we’ve been able to pull out all the stops to ensure the new pool will be fully accessible to everyone.
“Huge thanks need to go to the council officers and our contractors Speller Metcalfe for working so hard to keep this challenging project on track and ensuring it remains on schedule.”
Most of the facilities at Perdiswell Leisure Centre will continue to be available during the construction period. The pool at Sansome Walk will remain open until the Perdiswell pool is operational.
Visit www.worcester.gov.uk/swimmingpool for more information.
