Pool closed over fumes
Stourbridge Crystal Leisure Centre's fun pool has been closed because faulty air conditioning is leaving dangerous chlorine fumes in the air.
The main swimming pool is not expected to re-open until the end of the week because of the health hazards posed by the broken equipment.
A party of children fell ill after playing in the pool a week ago suffering vomiting fits, sore throats and stinging eyes.
Tests could find no fault with the water quality but the problem was later traced to a faulty extractor fan.
It meant chlorine fumes were not being cleared from the hall and the pool was shut down to prevent other swimmers being taken ill.
A week later it is still shut to the public while emergency repair work takes place. It is not expected to be reopened before the weekend.
Councillor Charles Fraser Macnamara, Dudley council's cabinet member for leisure and culture, said the incident was regrettable and he was anxious for the pool to re-open as soon as possible.
He said: "We apologise to our customers for the closure and want to assure people we are working to get the pool open again as soon as possible.
"I would urge anyone planning to visit the centre next week to check before setting out."
The youngsters affected by the problems have now recovered.
But their parents are considering whether or not to pursue any action against the council in terms of compensation.
One parent said: "I believe something more thorough should have been done at the time so the problem could have been detected more quickly."
By Ben Lammas
