Work to update Shipley Pool is running behind schedule and its re-opening has been pushed back a month.

The pool closed on September 9 for major electrical and mechanical works, which Bradford Council says will make it a flagship example of energy efficiency in the district.

It was due to re-open early next month, but will now be closed until early next year due to the scale of the major £878,000 project.

The energy-efficiency measures are being made as part of the Council’s ongoing ‘spend to save’ programme of investment in leisure and sporting facilities and expected to reduce the facility’s energy demand by up to a quarter.

The Council's sports facilities manager John Coulton said: “The electrical and mechanical work in progress at Shipley Pool is a major undertaking that will make the building much more energy efficient and significantly reduce running costs.

“The project is running slightly behind schedule and the pool is now scheduled to re-open early in the new year, a few weeks later than originally planned.

“The comprehensive refit of mechanical systems includes installation of solar PV panels, insulation, double glazing, energy efficient LED lighting, new heating and ventilation systems.”

In June, the Council unveiled its £130,000 revamp of Shipley pool’s new gym and during the re-fit, members have been able to use other Council-run gyms and swimmers have been using Bingley Pool.

The chairman of Bradford Swimming Club, Andy Mitchell, said the pool’s closure had caused a slight inconvenience, but the club had allowed for the work running into 2014 when making alternative arrangements at other swimming baths.

He said the nature of the work meant people would probably not notice a difference to how the pool looked, but the improvements would make the facility more cost effective and he was not concerned by the delay.

He said: “It might be a bit of a disruption for some people, but do people want it rushing or doing properly?”

A swimming competition usually held at Shipley Pool in December had already been rescheduled for February.