Brentwood Centre to get major pool and changing-room refurbishment
The Brentwood Centre in Essex is set to receive a £1.1 million refurbishment of its two swimming pools and changing facilities, with work scheduled to begin in January. The council-funded programme is expected to take around five months, subject to weather and contractor schedules, and aims to modernise the venue for community use.
Scope of the work
- Replacement of tiling and ceilings in pool areas
- Complete refurbishment of changing rooms and supporting infrastructure
- Phased approach to keep at least one pool available while work is carried out
Brentwood Centre has two pools: a 25-metre main pool (about 82ft) and a smaller teaching pool used for lessons, clubs and community sessions. According to the council's timetable, the smaller pool will close from 26 January for approximately eight weeks. It will reopen once contractors move on to the main pool in late March. All areas are expected to be back in service by the end of May.
“The project has been carefully planned so that local residents continue to have access to swimming throughout,”
said Dan Humphries of leisure operator Everyone Active, adding that the upgrades will help people enjoy the facilities "for years to come."
The centre, opened in 1988, attracts more than 450,000 visits a year. Sports promoter Barry Hearn has previously said the building needs "a bit of TLC" ahead of hosting snooker's English Open at the venue in September.
Gareth Barrett, chairman of the council's Assets, Projects and Strategy Committee, described the swimming facilities as "ageing" and said the investment supports the council's ambition for the Brentwood Centre to remain a modern, inclusive community facility.
Practical arrangements
Brentwood Borough Council has confirmed temporary changing facilities will be provided while work is under way, although only one pool will be open at a time to ensure safety and allow contractors to complete the refurbishment efficiently.
Note: schedules may be adjusted depending on weather and contractor availability. The council is funding the project in full.
