Bosses of a Bristol swimming pool that closed when the roof was damaged by last week’s heavy rain said it will be closed ‘for the foreseeable’ future, but hope to have the roof fixed ‘as quickly as possible’.
The Bristol South swimming pool closed suddenly on Thursday when swimmers reported ceiling tiles falling from the roof and water leaking through as they swam during the morning sessions.
Heavy rain for much of last week led to the roof starting to leak and the decision was taken to close the pool completely for health and safety reasons.
Last Thursday, swimmers were told about the closure ‘due to damage to the roof following heavy rain’, and in a second message to swimmers, pool bosses said the pool would be closed ‘until Tuesday, October 1 at the earliest’.
A message on the pool’s Facebook page gave a different date. “Following expert advice, we have been informed the building must remain closed, with the earliest possibility of reopening being Wednesday, October. Please note this is not an exact timeframe and this could be subject to change.”
But there is no date known yet for a reopening. “The pool will remain closed for the foreseeable due to damage to the roof following heavy rain,” a statement said. “Customer safety is our top priority, and as such, we will remain closed until Tuesday, October 1, at the earliest. We are working with the council on repairs to the roof as quickly as possible,” it added.
People who have booked swimming lessons have been advised to go to Easton, Horfield and Henbury instead.
The 93-year-old pool, in Dean Lane, Bedminster, was closed for almost two years for a major refurbishment and only reopened in 2021.