Wellington swimming pool to close for revamp to cut heating bills

Wellington Sports Centre originally opened 40 years ago in 1973

A town's swimming pool will soon be closed for a revamp to help cut its energy bills.

Work on the pool at Wellington Sports Centre in Somerset will begin in early-November and is due to finish in August 2024.

Local residents will have to travel to Taunton or Tiverton to swim during this time.

The gym and other facilities on Corams Lane will remain open during the works.

Doors and the roof of the sports centre will be replaced to allow the building to retain more heat. A new foyer will also be provided, along with electric vehicle charging points in the car park.

Planning permission for the changes was granted by Somerset Council in late-September.

The rest of the centre will remain open whilst the swimming pool is refurbished

The project is expected to cost £3.6m, including cash from Somerset Council and £1.3m from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's decarbonisation scheme.

The changes are expected to save nearly 220 tonnes of carbon per year, reducing the running costs of the building in the longer-term.

Olivia Clydesdale, project manager said: "The swimming pool is scheduled to remain closed throughout the majority of the project, with gym access remaining open throughout."

"People with Everyone Active memberships can use the swimming pools at the Blackbrook Leisure Centre and the Taunton Pool while the work on the pool is being carried out."

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