Plymouth Life Centre's diving pool reopens this week
Pictured are: Charles Cooke Dive Manager/Gymnastics & Trampoline Manager, Councillor Mark Deacon Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport, Julian Egan Contract Manager for Everyone Active alongside Ollie, Eva, Will, Theo and Scarlet from Plymouth Diving club.
Plymouth’s diving pool is back in action next week (Monday 6 September), following repairs and improvements.
The diving pool, part of Plymouth Life Centre has been the training ground for Olympians and has a strong reputation for hosting major diving competitions.
The re-opening of the facility will see Plymouth’s diving programme start up again as well as the return of the water polo and underwater hockey.
The junior diving talent programme will start training again and the public and swimming clubs will return to swimming in a 50 metre pool.
Councillor Mark Deacon, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport said: “It truly fantastic to see this outstanding facility ready for a big splash.
“Diving is so important to Plymouth, it’s a huge part of our city pride. Seeing a generation of Plymouth divers go from success to success has been a wonderful thing for us all.
“I want to thank the diving communities and all other pool user for their patience, we understand that this disruption has been hard. The revamped facility will ensure current and future divers excellent opportunities.”
The pool has been closed since last spring to correct design, including water leaks on the original build. Balfour Beatty, who constructed the facility agreed that they will carry out these essential works at their own cost.
Several improvements have also been made in this time, including retiling the pool, new diving display screen and equipment serviced and replaced. A major refurbishment of the dry dive facility was also completed in March.
The centre will be fully operational from 6 September with the diving pool showers, diving pool spectator area and aquatic offices also reopening.
The diving programme is always on the lookout for new talent, so if you want to give it go, contact the diving club and check out this message from Plymouth’s own Tom Daley!