Swimming pool to close for £362k roof repairs

The main pool at Jubilee2 leisure centre will be closed from 8 December to late March

A swimming pool at a leisure centre is to close for more than three months to allow for a £362,000 programme of roof repairs.

Corrosion is eating away at the roof above the 25m pool at Jubilee2 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

The borough council said "essential" repairs were now needed, with a report to cabinet stating high temperature and moist air were making the corrosion worse.

The centre's main pool will be closed from 8 December until late March while the works are carried out, with the smaller pool and the rest of the centre remaining open as usual.

Council officers have been investigating the corrosion issue at the centre for several years, with safety netting installed in 2023 to prevent debris falling on to swimmers.

Cabinet members at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council are also expected to approve an extra £64,792 of funding for the project, bringing the total budget to £362,018.

Craig Skelding, cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said the works were "essential" to ensure the long-term safety and quality of the centre's swimming facilities.

"Unfortunately, we need to temporarily close the main pool for which we apologise, though the project team will make every effort to complete works as soon as possible," he said.

"This funding allocation will enable the repairs to begin, and we'd like to thank people in advance for their patience and understanding while work takes place."

According to a council report, pool covers will also be installed once repairs are carried out, reducing the cost of heating the pool.

But the report also notes that the closure of the main pool will mean a loss of income from pay-as-you-use customers and refunds to Jubilee2 members with swimming memberships.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.