Cabling work blamed for Darwen pools shut-down

1:45pm Saturday 23rd June 2012 in Darwen Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

THE swimming pools at Darwen Leisure Centre have been forced to close, sparking angry reactions from councillors.

The new leisure centre opened in January 2010, but earlier this week a routine inspection discovered cabling work in the ducting above the pools was ‘inadequate’.

The work was not done to the required standard when the building was first erected, and now the pool will be shut for at least a week while repairs are carried out.

Repairs will come at no cost to the council, but groups which regularly use the pool have been temporarily relocated to Shadsworth Sports Centre.

Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “Whoever did the ducting originally didn’t do a proper job.

“To be forced to close so soon after opening is not good.

"I was going to go swimming myself as I go every Thursday but I was thwarted. It is inconvenient for the kids as well.

“At least the firm that did it has agreed to put it right and hopefully when it is done there will be no more glitches.”

Coun Brian Taylor, who also represents Sunnyhurst, said it was a ‘great pity’.

He said: “I am very disappointed that we have had to close the pool such a short time after opening it.

“It is a very well used facility. The leisure centre is one of our success stories.

“It is disappointing for those groups that use it regularly and will have to find alternative accommodation.

“That puts in great jeopardy our great success at the leisure centre, which is a great pity.”

Coun Damian Talbot, executive member for leisure, said: “The ducting has only been in for two-and-a-half years so this problem should not be happening.

“The cabling is inadequate and the ducting needs to be supported as soon as possible.

“Capita are involved and are looking into it. The repairs will come at no cost to the council as they shouldn’t need doing in the first place.”

Comments (3)

4:15pm Sun 24 Jun 12

BlueSkies says...

Hope this is resolved ASAP!
Hope this is resolved ASAP! BlueSkies

7:25pm Sun 24 Jun 12

Hovis1945 says...

We were in last Monday morning and there was a sign on the controls for the moveable floor in the open pool that it should not be used. The floor was at the minimum level which is not really that good for adult swimmers, it would not be too bad if we could use the other pool but that is reserved for school kids. Ironic that the kids get the deep bit and adults the shallow. To be fair there are sometimes mothers with toddlers on a Monday morning. Is the floor mechanism broken too?
We were in last Monday morning and there was a sign on the controls for the moveable floor in the open pool that it should not be used. The floor was at the minimum level which is not really that good for adult swimmers, it would not be too bad if we could use the other pool but that is reserved for school kids. Ironic that the kids get the deep bit and adults the shallow. To be fair there are sometimes mothers with toddlers on a Monday morning. Is the floor mechanism broken too? Hovis1945

10:49am Mon 25 Jun 12

Progressive Penguin says...

So not "angry" reactions from Councellors at all. 'Disappointed but practical' reactions maybe.

There was a problem discovered and the Leisure centre worked quickly to find a solution and to publicise the impact of the solution. Short of a crystal ball there isn't a great deal more they could do so why the negative tone to the article?
So not "angry" reactions from Councellors at all. 'Disappointed but practical' reactions maybe. There was a problem discovered and the Leisure centre worked quickly to find a solution and to publicise the impact of the solution. Short of a crystal ball there isn't a great deal more they could do so why the negative tone to the article? Progressive Penguin

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