Learner Pool Improvements at St James Street

THE popular learner pool at St James Street Baths in Taunton is to close on Sunday July 25 to allow vital remedial work to be carried out.

The pool, owned by Taunton Deane Borough Council and operated by charitable trust Tone Leisure on behalf of the Council, is used by thousands of schoolchildren each year and for swimming lessons. It is not open to the wider public.

This work is aimed at reducing the amount of time it take for the water to circulate through the filtration system as well as improving the chemical dosing system controlling disinfection.

This will result in better water quality in both the main and learner pools at St James Street and bathers should notice the difference once the work is finished. The decision to go ahead with this remedial work was made jointly by Tone Leisure and the Borough Council.

Cllr Catherine Herbert, who holds the Council’s sports, parks and leisure portfolio, said: “So many children learn to swim at St James Street it is important that the water quality is improved. We are happy that the work can be carried out during the summer holidays and look forward to welcoming the schools back in the autumn.”

Centre manager Bridget Lock said: “This should provide a significant improvement to the swimming experience following the investment in plant and machinery. While work is ongoing and the learner pool closed we will be keeping disruption to a minimum by transferring lessons to the main pool.”