A READING swimming pool will be given a new look thanks to a £295,000 upgrade.
Reading Borough Council has announced additional upgrades to its leisure centres, including the revamp at South Reading Leisure Centre.
It follows a recent update to its gym, changing rooms, reception and studio space.
Work is due to start in the new year, reopening in the spring.
The council says the work is timed to coincide with the opening of the new six-lane community pool at Palmer Park.
And the new site will also include a £36,000 investment in wayfinding from Wokingham Road to help visually impaired users of the existing facilities at Palmer Park Sport Stadium, and developed with advice from residents with visual impairments.
It includes tactile paving suitable for people using a long cane.
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, lead councillor for leisure and culture at Reading Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted that we are proposing further investment in improving the popular and well-used pool in South Reading.
“Although there has, rightly, been a focus on the new leisure facilities we’re delivering at Rivermead and Palmer Park, our improvements to the Meadway Sports Centre and South Reading Leisure Centre are just as important for local people.
“The Council’s investment in these popular centres demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality leisure facilities throughout the borough.”
And she was equally pleased to offer wayfinding help for visually impaired residents.
“It is vital that the new pool and sports facility work for everyone, whatever their fitness level or accessibility needs, and this wayfinding will enable people with visual impairments to easily navigate the route across the park to the pool and stadium,” she said.
Separately to these proposals, the Council is also looking to enter into formal funding agreements with Sport England, for £1.5 million towards the costs of the new leisure facilities at Rivermead and Palmer Park.
Cllr Barnett-Ward added: “Confirmation of Reading’s successful bid for £1.5 million from Sport England, is further fantastic news for this major project, and our partnership and the investment from Sport England really demonstrates the importance of these new facilities for the town.”
