For those living and working in Guildford, the Spectrum is the place to head to for practically all of their leisure needs. As well as having a pool and gymnasium, the Spectrum also plays host to numerous different shows during the course of the year.
Now, those that like to go to the Spectrum in order to have a swim will have to make do without for a three-month period, thanks to the fact that it is closing in order to undergo a complete refurbishment. It is part of a £10 million refurbishment plan that was confirmed last summer when Guildford Borough Council approved plans award the contract to Freedom Leisure.
When the Pool Is Closing
If you’re one of the countless people that likes to head along to the Guildford Spectrum in order to enjoy a swim there, you will no doubt be keen to learn exactly when it is that the pool is going to be closed. The closure of the leisure pool is getting underway at 6pm on Sunday, the 19th of April, with a decision taken that it would make sense to wait until after the Easter holidays are over for the pool to be shut. Equally, the aim is to get the pool opened again in the early part of July, which should give plenty of time for some stress-testing before the summer holidays are due to get underway and kids will be looking for something to do.
The regeneration project that is being carried out to Surrey’s flagship leisure centre will involve more than just the leisure pool being given a makeover, but it is that pool that those responsible for the work have decided to start with. It means that things will look decidedly different there when the pool reopens in July, with Freedom Leisure having released artist impressions of what it will look like after the work has been completed. Some of the most loved attractions there will be refreshed, whilst some play areas that didn’t exist before are being introduced and other never-seen-before features will be brought in.
One of the first things that will be done during the period of time of the makeover is that the slides, which are extremely popular, will all be refurbished. On the artist impressions, that seems to include a change of colour for the main slide. New features for kids are also going to be built, including an interactive splash play zone, which will include fountains and water showers. There is also a plan to bring in smaller slides, which will allow children that are perhaps too small to take on the current slides to be given a chance to learn about the fun and enjoyment of slides before ‘graduating’ onto the larger ones that are in place there.
Other Pools Will Remain Open
The good news for the more serious swimmers amongst you is that the other pools on site will remain open during the period of time that the leisure pool is undergoing its refurbishment. That means that the training pool will stay open, as will the 25-metre pool and the diving pools.
Obviously, those tend to be used by those that like to go for a swim with more purpose in mind, but it is likely that the pools in question will see an increase in use from younger people whilst the leisure pool is closed. Those that always swim in these pools will have to demonstrate a touch more patience than usual during this time period. A Freedom Leisure spokesperson said,
The wider pool environment will be revitalised with refreshed finishes, creating a brighter, more modern and welcoming space for families to enjoy. Alongside the visible improvements, essential upgrades will also take place behind the scenes, including enhancements to air handling systems to improve comfort and air quality, as well as upgrades to group and accessible changing facilities.
The plan is to complete the work on the leisure pool before moving on to the gym. Freedom Leisure are hoping to be able to bring a new upper floor in, which will double the gym’s size.
If you have young ones in your life and are concerned that some of their usual activities will be curtailed during the period of time that the leisure pool is being shut, then you needn’t be. Although the ability to let them head off up some slides won’t be there, swimming lessons will continue and fun inflatable and float sessions will still be held for families to enjoy.
There will also continue to be lane swimming in the likes of the 25-metre pool, so anyone who likes to use the Spectrum to maintain their fitness will be able to do just that. The rest of the Spectrum will also remain open, with only the leisure pool being closed during this time.