Refurbishment work closes swimming pool for months

NEWQUAY'S Paralympic heroes will be forced to train at a campsite after their base closed for three months this week.

Jonathan Fox and Matt Whorwood, who scooped bronze and silver medals at the Beijing Paralympics last month, will join thousands of centre users at Waterworld, forced to relocate this week when it closed for refurbishment.

The swimming pool and fitness facility – used as a training base for Matt and Jonathan's Newquay Cormorants Swimming Club – closed on Tuesday while work takes place on new changing facilities, costing £400,000.

The duo and the rest of the club have been relocated to Trevelgue Holiday Park to use their pool for training until January.

Phil Goldman, head coach at Newquay Cormorants, said: "It is not ideal as Waterworld's pool was 25 metres and Trevelgue is only 20 metres.

"But it is seven lanes wide so we will have to get on with it."

Waterworld attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year and several clubs and groups call the facility 'home'.

The facility saw more than 1,000 people swimming on many days during August, with a record number of 1,502 in one day – mainly due to the bad weather.

However, despite holding Quest 'Highly Commended' status, the facilities are not up to the required standard and have not been upgraded or refurbished since the fun pool opened in 1990.

The current changing room layout also has no provision for family changing.

Restormel Borough Council announced earlier this year their intention to close the building until January 5, allowing new changing facilities to be built.

The new facilities will see single gender provision with the addition of a family changing area and improved access to the poolside spectator areas so spectators do not have to walk through the changing rooms.

There will be a minor modification of the reception area to enable staff to cope with peak capacity admissions. A suitable reception counter for people with disabilities will also be provided.

A spokesman for Restormel Borough Council said it was inevitable that the work would cause some problems, but said the improvements were "much needed".

"The normal winter maintenance programme will also be carried out during the close-down and the fun pool will open earlier next year in order to fit in schools and swimming lessons which have missed the winter term.

"Newquay Cormorants swimming club will relocate to Trevelgue Holiday Park during the pool closure.

"The In2Fitness memberships includes the use of free Polkyth Leisure Centre swimming pool, gym and fitness classes. The In2Fitness gym, which was recently refitted with new Life Fitness cardio-vascular equipment and air-conditioning on both floors, will stay open throughout the winter along with our popular studio classes and super tots soft play sessions.

"This much needed development plan will bring the facility up to the desired quality standard for the future benefit of our residents and visitors to Newquay."