Southern Pool reopens after safety concerns

Swimming lessons at the facility will return next week

A community swimming pool on the Isle of Man has reopened following safety concerns over its lighting system.

The Southern Swimming Pool was forced to shut in mid-December due to "structural concerns with pool hall lights and insufficient lighting levels", the facility's board said.

The "significant challenges" had now been overcome to install "temporary safety supports" and "enhanced lighting", the board said.

Further "comprehensive" sustainability and safety assessments were planned, it added.

The facility reopened at 07:00 GMT on Thursday, with swimming lessons at the pool due to resume next week.

At the time of the closure, board chairman Laurence Vaughan-Williams said while there had been no "immediate risk", public safety was "paramount".

He previously confirmed the board would approach the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) for the funds required, once a full assessment had been made.

Sports hubs

Collectively the regional pools receive an annual government grant of £1.7m, the majority of which is used to cover operating costs.

A 2022 report into the management of the island's local authority-run swimming facilities said the pool was at risk of insolvency without additional support.

In January 2023, Tynwald backed investigating whether creating new sports hubs would ensure the future of regional swimming pools, which also included facilities in Peel and Ramsey.

The Desc and the Department of Infrastructure were tasked with creating a plan for the regional hubs.

The proposals were due to be laid before the January sitting of Tynwald, however they do not feature on the order paper.

The Desc has been contacted for a comment.