Swimming pools at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon will be closed for 10 weeks this summer while essential maintenance work takes place.

The work will begin on July 4 and is expected to be completed in September.

The work involves draining the pools, replacing tiles and grouting around the pool edges, and repairing the concrete which supports the surrounding area.

Vale of White Horse district council has said that work will take about eight weeks, with a further ten days to refill, heat and test the pool water.

The rest of the facilities at the leisure centre will remain open as usual.

The work is being organised by Vale of the White Horse District Council and will cost £415,623.

The pool is 15 years old and receives more than 324,000 visits from swimmers each year.

While work is taking place swimmers can use their membership at the following centres at no additional cost:

  • Abbey Meadow outdoor pool
  • Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield
  • Didcot Wave
  • Faringdon Leisure Centre
  • Henley Leisure Centre
  • Thame Leisure Centre
  • Wallingford Riverside Pool
  • Wantage Leisure Centre

All affected swimming lessons will be transferred to Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool while the work is taking place.  

Swimmers affected will be contacted to let them know what their specific arrangements will be.

Councillor Charlotte Dickson, cabinet member for Leisure at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The pools at White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre are very well used and extremely popular. 

"However they are also 15 years old and wear and tear means we really need to act now to ensure it can last well in to the future.

“We’ve worked hard with [centre operators] GLL to ensure that suitable alternative arrangements are available for those who wish to go swimming this summer.

“We’d also like to reassure people that all the other facilities at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre will remain open for business as usual throughout the summer, so please continue to come down and enjoy what’s on offer.”

For further information regarding the alternative arrangements that are being put in place for swimming this summer please speak to the leisure centre reception or email whitehorse@gll.org.