£20k makeover for Buxton Swimming and Fitness Centre ahead of reopening

It has been a busy lockdown for the St John’s Road leisure centre which has had a new ceiling installed and extensive work done to revamp the learner pool.

Centre manager Leigh White said: “So much has been happening behind the scenes and we can’t wait to welcome you all back and show off the changes which we think you will love.”

The biggest changes have happened in the small teaching pool which has had two new heater booster pumps, two new circulation pumps and a new scum channel installed.

Leigh said: “The temperature in the small pool was always fluctuating and when you are going in with little children the pool needs to be nice and warm so we worked hard to address that.

"When we started the work we saw the pool was still using its original cast iron pipes which were installed in 1971 ahead of the opening in 1972 so they were in desperate need of replacing.”

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The new pipes will improve the flow of water meaning the heater and circulation pumps can work better.

Leigh said: “The main pool was done when we had refurbishments the other year and that is now kept at 28 degrees and the learner pool is between 29.5 and 30 degrees.

"While we have been closed we have had more enquiries about swimming lessons starting back up than anything else so I think it’s going to be really popular.”

Back in February the ceiling was replaced after two rips were spotted but that was a big project and required scaffolding to be put up in the middle of the main pool.

The gym has had equipment spread out and deep cleaned and fitness centre staff are using a disinfectant spray which kills germs and bacteria for 28 days but Leigh says all high contact touch points will be sprayed every seven days.

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“We are doing all we can to keep you safe, but there are going to be a few differences,” he said. “We are looking at outside HIIT and spinning classing on the veranda by the pool as we can’t have inside classes until May.”

As part of the government’s road map out of lockdown, gyms and indoor leisure centres will be able to reopen from April 12.

A spokesperson for High Peak Borough Council which funded the improvement works, said: “As this work to repair the ceiling required scaffolding to be erected in the middle of the main pool, we’ve taken the opportunity to complete this whilst the centre has had to remain closed due to the Covid restrictions so as to avoid any further inconvenience to swimmers when the pool can re-open.

“We’ve also installed new piping for much improved filtration and to finish, carried out a deep clean of both pools. We know people will be eagerly anticipating getting back into the water when the restrictions allow and they will be able to do so with full confidence that the facilities in Buxton have had a thorough deep-clean and are good to go as soon as the Government gives re-opening the green light.”

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