Forres pool set to reopen after £1.1million investment

Final preparations are being made for the reopening of Forres swimming pool after a £1.1million upgrade.

The facility has undergone a major overhaul by Moray Council during the past six months and is set to reopen next Monday (October 24).

The work at the Forres pool is the most extensive since it first opened more than 40 years ago and has seen the replacement of most of the main plant and equipment, including the boilers.

Energy saving systems have been installed, including a heat recovery unit interfaced with solar panels linked to the council’s building energy management system.

The fabric of the building has been upgraded with a new insulated roof, insulated walls and new high performance doors and windows.

A more efficient pool filtration system has also been installed, resulting in significant energy saving.

Local councillors were given a guided tour of the refurbished facility last week.

Moray Council’s sport and leisure manager, Ken Brown, said: “Forres swimming pool has offered considerable scope in terms of energy saving on a spend-to-save basis which will result in a quality leisure facility with enhanced energy and environmental benefits and reduced running costs.

“Pool supervisor Dave Chapman and his staff are looking forward to welcoming back the various swimming groups and regular pool users who have shown great patience and understanding during the shutdown period.

“They will be returning to a vastly improved facility with a full seven-day programme of activities.”

Local groups which regularly use the pool include Forres Bluefins Amateur Swimming Club, Forres Flounders and Forres Freestyle Swimming Club.

It is anticipated that the pool will see more than 5600 admissions each month once all sessions are fully reinstated, with staff providing around 1150 swimming lessons a month to all ages.

* Note to newsdesks: High resolution photographs attached (see below)

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.