Kingfisher Leisure Centre swimming pool in Sudbury to remain shut for at least 12 weeks to fix glass roof panel damage

Extensive work is needed to fix roof damage at a Sudbury swimming pool more than two weeks after it closed its doors to the public, an authority has said.

Babergh District Council has revealed that the pool at Kingfisher Leisure Centre will remain shut for at least another 12 weeks.

A council spokesperson said a recent inspection of the site determined the repairs needed after a glass panel above the swimming pool broke were more complex than previously thought and additional work was needed.

During this time, it will take the opportunity to carry out any additional maintenance work.

The spokesperson said: “We know that the pool at Kingfisher Leisure Centre is a well-used and popular community facility, and appreciate the disappointment that its temporary closure will have caused, but people’s safety is our top priority, and more extensive repairs are required than first realised.”

The pool and health suite at the leisure centre originally closed on August 23 and was expected to reopen quickly.

SuffolkNews reported on August 30 that the closure was extended for a further two weeks.

All other facilities at Kingfisher, including the gym and sauna, remain open as usual.

The pool building at Kingfisher Leisure Centre is nearly 40 years old.

In 2019, £2.3 million was poured into upgrades for the building, which included extending the gym, adding community studios, and refurbishing the poolside changing and toilet facilities in 2019.

While Kingfisher Leisure Centre is owned by the district council it is rented out to Abbeycroft Leisure.

Chief executive Warren Smyth apologised to customers who were disappointed by the news.

However, he stressed the work must be done.

Warren added: “We have been contacting customers directly who have bookings with us, and we continue to thank everyone for their understanding.

“In the meantime, all other Kingfisher facilities remain open, while members can use any of our other five swimming pools as part of their membership.”