More faults have been identified in city-operated swimming pools across Liverpool as vital works are required at another leisure centre. Contractors are required to carry out repairs on the 50m pool at Liverpool Aquatics Centre in Wavertree.
Issues have been identified with the hydraulic movable floor mechanism in the main pool, rendering half of it unusable by paying members. The local authority has said it will now look into replacing components at both ends of the pool and the site’s 20m pool as they are at the “end of life.”
Fault Identified
Cllr Harry Doyle, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and culture, said the council will “re-open the shallow end of the pool as quickly as possible.” A notice has been placed on the aquatics centre website advising of the fault. The smaller 20m pool has been restricted to 50 swimmers per session as a result.
Cllr Doyle said: “We have identified a fault with the hydraulic movable floor mechanism in the 50m pool at Liverpool Aquatics Centre. One of the hydraulic gaskets has failed and requires replacement.
“The affected area is the 25m shallow end of the 50m pool. The 25m deep end of the 50m pool remains open and available for use, and the 20m pool continues to operate as normal.
Repairs Planned
“As there are three gaskets within the system all at the end of life, it is considered both financially and operationally beneficial to replace all three at the same time. This approach will help ensure the ongoing reliability of the movable floor mechanism and minimise the risk of future failures and subsequent pool closures.
“Quotes have been obtained from a specialist contractor, and we are awaiting confirmation of the time to be scheduled from the specialist suppliers. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding whilst these essential maintenance works are carried out.
“We will re-open the shallow end of the pool as quickly as possible.”
Recent Reopening
The fault comes just weeks after officials were finally able to reopen the waterside at Peter Lloyd leisure centre in Tuebrook after six years out of service. After years of waiting and campaigning, swimmers in Tuebrook got to use their community pool again this month. The doors finally reopened on the dry side of the venue on Bankfield Road in July 2024. Almost £120,000 of repairs were carried out around the pool while it was closed, with some of the equipment dating back to the 1980s. Council leader Liam Robinson confirmed a lessons learned exercise was compiled to ensure delays like the ones encountered at Peter Lloyd never happen again.
