A LEISURE attraction in west Suffolk has been forced to close during the festive holidays - just months after a similar closure cost thousands of pounds in lost revenue.
A LEISURE attraction in west Suffolk has been forced to close during the festive holidays - just months after a similar closure cost thousands of pounds in lost revenue.
Urgent repairs are being carried out to the swimming pool at Sudbury's Kingfisher Leisure Centre after problems were found with joints attached to the perimeter of the pool tank.
The enforced closure is the second setback to hit the new private managers of the facility, after the pool sprung a major leak in the height of the summer holidays in August.
Although bosses at the South Suffolk Leisure Trust were keeping tight-lipped about the costs involved, the EADT understands the costs of the closures could exceed £30,000 each.
A spokesman for Babergh District Council, which owns the building, said: “We are having to make urgent repairs to the Kingfisher Leisure Centre.
“This involves applying a specialist mastic product to these joints. The works will take two days, but the product then requires a further seven days to dry.
“Babergh and South Suffolk Leisure, who manage the pool, would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience that may be caused.
“Kingfisher customers are able to use Hadleigh pool as an alternative during this closure. All other parts of the Kingfisher complex will remain open.”
In August, the Kingfisher was closed for three weeks after a major pipe burst, sending thousands of gallons of water gushing into the plant room below.
It was estimated the closure forced 3,500 swimmers a week away from the pool with a further delay when more leaks were found after the pool was drained out.
After staff discovered water leaking from the pool, contractors were brought in to drain out the pool and found the cause to be a split water pipe.
The leak meant the closure of the six-lane, 25-metre pool, flume rides and wave machines and cancellation of timetabled activities.
The trust took over the running of the leisure centre in April and immediately paid for a £150,000 refit of the gym and improvements to the pool.
dave.gooderham@eadt.co.uk
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