Six months and £1.1m later public can swim in Forres

Work on upgrading the Forres Pool is complete with it reopening to the public on Monday.
Work on upgrading the Forres Pool is complete with it reopening to the public on Monday.

WORK ON THE FORRES Swimming pool that has undergone its most extensive upgrade in 40 years is almost complete – with the pool set to reopen next week.

Moray Council has invested £1.1million in upgrades to the swimming pool and now after six months it is once again ready for business.

A main plant replacement is at the centre of the work carried out along with a new heat recovery unit which has been interfaced with solar panels – these are linked to the council’s building energy management system.

When the pool opens on Monday visitors will note that the fabric of the building has been upgraded with a new insulated roof, insulated walls and high-performance doors and windows. Local councillors were among the first to be given a guided tour of the new facilities last week.

Sports and Leisure manager Ken Brown said: “Forres swimming pool has offered considerable scope in terms of energy saving on a spend-to-save basis which will result in a quality leisure facility with enhanced energy and environmental benefits and reduced running costs.

“Pool supervisor Dave Chapman and his staff are looking forward to welcoming back the various swimming groups and regular pool users who have shown great patience and understanding during the shutdown period.

“They will be returning to a vastly improved facility with a full seven-day programme of activities.”

Local groups which regularly use the pool include Forres Bluefins Amateur Swimming Club, Forres Flounders and Forres Freestyle Swimming Club.
It is anticipated that the pool will see more than 5600 admissions each month once all sessions are fully reinstated, with staff providing around 1150 swimming lessons a month to all ages.

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