THE swimming pool at Hyndburn Leisure Centre will reopen next month after a 15-week project to refurbish it.

After meeting with contractors this week, management at the leisure centre say the pool will reopen on Monday, February 20.

The works were designed to modernise the facilities and make it more energy efficient and cheaper to run.

Changes include reducing the depth of the deep end.

Generations of swimmers in Accrington have swum in the 10ft deep end but that end of the pool is being reduced to a depth of 5ft.

It means that part of the pool can accommodate a new range of water-based exercise classes.

This will also reduce energy costs and reduce the water capacity by 50 cubic tonnes.

A new energy-efficient ceiling has also been fitted.

A spokesman for Hyndburn Leisure said: “In the next few days, we’ll be sending learn-to-swim members details of the next course, and we will finalise our swimming pool programme in preparation for the opening.

“We appreciate the patience of all our users and indeed all our customers who use the pool, and hope to see them at the centre when the pool reopens.

“The old deep end has now been being retiled.

“Customers should be aware that, over the next couple of weeks, it may appear that work is slowing down.

“However, the new tiles require a curing period to ensure they are not damaged when we refill the pool, and refilling the pool is a long process in itself.”

Throughout the temporary closure, learn to swim, school and club swimmers have been using at Mercer Hall Leisure Centre in Great Harwood.

All other facilities at the Henry Street centre, including the gym, sauna, sports hall and squash courts, remained open.

The scheme has been funded by Hyndburn Council and Hyndburn Leisure, as well as contributions from the Prospects Foundation.