Wrong tile grout closes city pool

The new-look swimming pool opened in October 2003

A Bristol swimming pool has been forced to close just 18 months after a £1.3m facelift - because builders used the wrong tile grout.

The Dolphin swimming pool, at the Filton Sport and Leisure Centre, has been shut while the problem is fixed.

Roger Hutchinson, chair of Filton Town Council, said contractor Rok Property Solutions, would cover the costs.

A Rok spokeswoman said a sub-contractor had used "a material other than that specified in the design".

The new-look swimming pool opened in October 2003. The 25-metre pool and changing rooms at the Elm Park site were refitted, and a new learner pool was built.

'Plenty of competition'

The tile problem means the main pool will have to be drained while work is carried out.

It is feared that if the grout is not replaced, the tiles will fall off.

Referring to other new leisure centre projects in the area, Cllr Hutchinson said: "We really do need to get it right."

"There is plenty of competition with the new Bradley Stoke pool and with Horfield coming on line."

The main and learner pools will be closed until 3 May. The leisure centre's other facilities are unaffected by the work.

The Rok spokeswoman said that to the company's knowledge, the sub-contractor which carried out the work on the pool tiles was no longer trading.

"We naturally regret the need to close the pool temporarily, but we have agreed with the council to carry out essential work on the tiling at the time that best suited them," she said.