A SWIMMING pool has been shut for repairs a little over a year after a £433,000 refurbishment of the building was completed.

Bowling Pool re-opened in October 2020 after an extensive refurbishment that included a new roof, new heating and ventilation systems and the creation of new disabled facilities.

But the facility, on Flockton Road was closed for "essential repairs" late last year, and Bradford Council has said the facility is unlikely to reopen before Easter.

Originally the latest work was to repair a few loose tiles in the pool. However, the authority said the entire pool is now being re-tiled after work by contractors found damage to the facility was much worse than originally thought.

The gym at the leisure facility is not effected by the closure.

Bradford Council announced in September 2019 that the pool, which was built in the 1970s, would be shut for six months for essential maintenance. At the time a spokesman said the work would "ensure Bowling Pool will remain operational for many years to come.”

It was part of a push to encourage people to use Council run facilities rather than private leisure centres.

However, with the Covid 19 pandemic starting in early 2020, the work was delayed, and the pool finally re-opened in October 2020 with new pool plant equipment, state of the art air handling systems and wheelchair access to the water.

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A new gym facility in the building re-opened shortly after the pool was opened.

When asked the reasons for the current closure of the pool, a Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “Bowling Pool has been temporarily closed so we could carry out some planned repairs.

“A number of tiles had come loose and the pool had to be drained so contractors could carry out the work.

“As is often the case with maintenance, our contractors uncovered further damage and it is now necessary to re-tile the entire pool tank and surround.

“We are currently costing and scheduling this work and Bowling Pool is unlikely to open before Easter.

“The new gym at Bowling Pool will remain open throughout the repairs.

“We understand this is causing some unavoidable inconvenience but thankfully, alternative pools are available for our members at Sedbergh, Shipley and Eccleshill.

“Bowling Pool was originally constructed in the mid-70s.

“The pool was refurbished in 2006 and a new roof and new boilers were fitted in 2019.

“Repairs to the tiling should extend the life of the pool for years to come.”