Pool to close for £2m revamp

Russell Steele • Published 2 Sep 2010 14:00

GOUROCK’S famous outdoor pool will splash out in style this weekend - as it closes ahead of a massive £2 million refurbishment.

The pool, regarded as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of the district, is set for a huge investment from Inverclyde Council which will bring the quality of the facilities up to a new level after 101 years.

Work on the pool, which is due to be completed by October 2011, includes new changing rooms, a bigger and improved gymnasium, plus a new entrance and lifts for the disabled.

The pool itself will also be upgraded. To mark the end of an era, the pool is staging a fun day on Saturday.

Organisers are hoping for a bumper crowd, and they also hope the last day of the season, on Monday, will go swimmingly.

Inverclyde Leisure’s Stuart Boyle, the pool manager, said: “This is the last chance for people to see the pool as it is, so we’re hoping we’ll get a good turnout over the weekend.

“We’ve had a very good year and the numbers of people using the pool is up.

“On Monday we’re going to lay on tea and coffee for all the regulars and it should be a nice occasion.

“We close on 6 September and are off site on the 10th, then it will basically become a building site.

“The gym is going to be moved and will double in size, with a new glass frontage and state-of-the-art equipment.”

Gourock councillor George White, who also sits on the board of Inverclyde Leisure, said: “The money is in place for this fantastic project.

“It’s great news work is starting so soon after the last day of the session.

“The work is going to make this wonderful facility even more iconic than it already is.

“The staff, who are doing an excellent job, and the public are rightly excited about the improvements which will be taking place.

“The pool has a bright future ahead of it.”

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 02 Sep 10

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