Work carried out to fix new pool

A Derbyshire swimming club says it cannot understand why repair work is being carried out on a newly-built swimming pool.

Work began three years ago to build three leisure centres in Alfreton, Heanor and Ripley, at a cost of £22m.

Alfreton pool was closed in 2005 and the swimming club has been travelling to Ripley while the new leisure centre pool is finished.

Amber Valley District Council said the pool had to be safe for people to use.

Structural problems

George Curley, president of Alfreton Swimming Club, which has between 60 and 100 members in Amber Valley, said he could not understand why the tests were needed.

"I'm well aware the pool needs to be safe but all these aspects should have been built into the specification at the start.

"They're building a completely new pool, surely the contract wasn't given to a firm with no experience," said Mr Curley.

Julian Townsend, director of environmental services at Amber Valley District Council, said safety was paramount.

"We need to put right whatever is wrong with the swimming pool to ensure the residents of Amber Valley have good quality facilities for many years to come."

Mr Townsend added some structural problems had been identified in the walls and floor of the pool and remedial work was being carried out to correct this.

The pool at the Alfreton leisure centre is expected to open next spring.