Halesowen swimming pools will be out of action for half term break
The two swimming pools at Halesowen Leisure Centre will be out of action for three weeks, including the half-term school holiday, it has been announced.
Dudley Council said maintenance work needs to be carried out from Monday, May 18 until Sunday, June 7.
Bosses said while the 'essential' work was carried out, the temperature of the water in the main pool and learner pool would be too low for them to be used by swimmers.
All other parts of the leisure centre, including the gym and all fitness studios, will remain open as normal during the work, which is taking place in the plant room.
The council said despite the half-term holiday, it was a quieter time for the pools and there would be fewer people using them than during term time when they are well used by school groups.
The pools are used by thousands of swimmers every year.
Swimming clubs which use the pools have been offered alternative sessions at either Dudley Leisure Centre or Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge which are both open throughout the period that the Halesowen pools are closed.
Impact
John Millar, acting strategic director for environment, economy and housing, said: "There is never a good time to have to close any of our facilities but we have tried to time this essential work as best we can to minimise impact on users.
"The pools at Halesowen are popular among groups and clubs and we are offering places at our other centres to ensure they can be accommodated.
I would remind people that all other parts of Halesowen Leisure Centre will remain open as normal throughout the works."
Recent figures showed the number of visitors to the leisure centre shot up from 393,733 in 2012/13 to 399,688 in 2013/14.
The total number of visits to the borough's three leisure centres, which include sites in Stourbridge and Halesowen, went up from 1,231,326 in 2012/13 to 1,275,557 in 2013/14.
Bosses say increasing the range of activities on offer such as fitness classes and a £1.5million revamp of the gyms at the sites has helped to attract more people.
They say families are also becoming more health conscious.
Anyone who needs information about swimming pool opening times at Crystal and Dudley leisure centres can call 01384 812800.
Dudley Council has been carrying out a review over the future management of leisure centres in the borough.
Bosses have been considering a range of options about the future management of the sites to look at whether savings could be made in future years.
