Work to re-open pool set to begin after flood

Work to reopen a Staffordshire swimming pool is set to begin following a flood that destroyed thousands of pounds of electrical equipment.

A burst water pipe at Rugeley Leisure Centre on 23 December destroyed key equipment in the pool plant room including the main control panel, responsible for keeping the water clean and safe.

A full electrical rewire is needed, as well as the replacement of some specialist equipment.

A provisional date for completion of the work has been set for the end of April.

Specialist electrical engineers assessed the damage alongside insurers, and contractors have been commissioned for the work to commence this month.

The operator Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles is to confirm an exact re-opening date for the pool once the work has begun and initial testing has concluded.

Neil Hutchinson, managing director of the organisation which runs Rugeley Leisure Centre on behalf of Cannock Chase Council, said: "We appreciate the ongoing support from our customers and recognise how important the pool is for the Rugeley community.

"The project is complex and includes extensive repairs work and installation, however we will endeavour to keep the project on schedule whilst also making sure the pool is safe and back to its usual high quality."

Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles said that when the damage was discovered, it contacted customers immediately and offered alternative interim arrangements.

These included swimming lessons and public swimming sessions at Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock, and specially designed exercise classes as a substitute for those missing out on aqua aerobics.

The charitable trust also said it had been offering gym assessments and advice for people who normally preferred to work out in the water.

A Join One, Use Them All Membership scheme facilitated the crossover, the trust added.

Councillor Jo Elson said: "We understand how frustrating this must be for our residents who use the pool at Rugeley. As a result, we have had regular discussions with the team at Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles about the challenges being dealt with and, crucially, the remedies being put in place.

"We are just glad that progress is now being made and the pool will hopefully be back in use in a matter of weeks."

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