£1m boost forcity swimmingfacilities

MAJOR improvements are on the way for five of Sheffield’s swimming pools at a cost of over 1m.

Sheffield Council is helping finance improvements at several community pools and they are being supported by funding from other sources.

Stocksbridge Leisure Centre will get improved access and better changing facilities and toilets.

The council is spending 380,000 at Stocksbridge and will put another 240,000 into the Springs Leisure Centre for new seating and refreshments, a new classroom for training courses and community use, a spa treatment room, and improvements to the entrance.

Chapeltown Community Baths is to be given 20,000 from the council towards work costing 40,000 that will include equipment repairs, redecoration and other maintenance.

The council is contributing 50,000 to the trust at King Edward’s Swimming Pool for improvements to ventitlation and the roof. Sheffield International Venues has spent 170,000 to refurbish and modernise the changing facilities at Concord Pool, which it runs.

Coun Sylvia Dunkley, the council’s spokeswoman for sport, said: “I hope local people enjoy swimming at their local centre even more as a result and that the improvements help to attract more customers. And for any adults that cannot swim, all of these pools are offering eight swimming lessons for only 10.”

Work should be complete before the end of 2011.