Cornard Leisure Centre re-opens swimming pool after first major refurbishment in almost 40 years

A former world champion swimmer today helped a Suffolk leisure facility cut the ribbon on its first swimming pool refurbishment in almost 40 years.

Cornard Leisure Centre officially opened its revamped pool this afternoon, after undergoing a major programme of work, including a full interior repainting, a poolside resurfacing and new furniture.

They are thought to be the first significant renovations to the swimming pool since it first opened at the facility in Head Lane in the early 1970s.

Liz Clements, manager of Cornard Leisure Centre, said the difference they had made was immediately noticeable, and had already inspired a surge of bookings, ahead of the pool’s full public reopening in June.

“I think it’s a massive difference,” she told Suffolk News. “It’s a really great community facility, but we believe it will become an even bigger part of the community now.

“We’ve already got bookings for swimming parties over the summer. As soon as people saw the improvements, they immediately started booking up, so it will be a very busy summer.

“Since the centre reopened from lockdown, it has been really positive – better than I thought it was going to be. People are really keen to get fit again.”

Liz added that they will now continue to drive community use of the facility, working with schools, including Wells Hall and Pot Kiln, as well as organisations such as the TRISudbury triathlon club.

School pupils, community members and trustees were joined at the opening event by Karen Pickering MBE, the sports ambassador for Ipswich.

During her competitive swimming career, Karen won dozens of medals across multiple World and European Championships and four consecutive Commonwealth Games.

“To be here to officially open a swimming pool is really quite special,” she said.

“Too often, we have to campaign to stop a pool from closing. It is wonderful to see the transformation.”