Billericay pool's £50,000 revamp

8:10am Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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BILLERICAY swimming pool is to get a £50,000 boost to encourage more people to use it.

Improvements at the pool, in Lake Meadows, off Radford Crescent, will include longer opening times and more staff to help swimmers of various abilities.

There will also be new equipment, including a purpose-built reception desk and creation of shop for swimming accessories and refreshments.

The centre will also be decorated, and fitted with air conditioning, new lighting and new flooring.

The changes come after First Strokes Swim Schools, based in Colchester, took over the lease last month. It bought out DFW Leisure, which had run the pool since 1991.

The firm was founded seven years ago by entrepreneur Gillian Dovey, who was named Businesswoman of the Year at the 2007 Echo Countywide Awards.

The plans for how the money will be spent, are set to be unveiled next Tuesday.

Mrs Dovey said: “The significant investment we are making, and the enhancements to the centre, will be a benefit to residents. It will offer a more comfortable and safer environment for both swimmers and parents.

“Our objectives are to preserve life by creating confident swimmers through the development of water and survival skills, and these improved facilities will assist us in reaching these goals.”

Billericay MP John Baron paid a visit to the 25-metre pool, along with representatives of Basildon Council, to see for himself the work being carried out.

Mr Baron said: “This is going to make a big difference and will be a real boost for Billericay residents.

“Not only is a lot of money being spent on upgrading facilities, but there are longer opening hours and more staff to help swimmers of all abilities. It is very good news story for the town.

“It’s not just about making the facilities better, but making it a pool accessible to everyone with very competitive prices.”

Mr Baron said the pool had been in desperate need of refurbishment for some time.

He added: “It hasn’t looked very attractive and there have been problems with graffiti.

“But I’m very enthused by these improvements and it seems this is a new chapter for the pool.”