Users of City of York Council's Edmund Wilson Swimming Pool are to get the lowdown on the £1.3m of improvements which will begin in the summer.

The council, which is funding the major upgrade, is hosting a public information session at the pool this week - on Saturday, February 2 - to keep users in the picture about the improvement programme.

As part of the major improvement programme the pool and the rest of the building, at Thanet Road, Acomb, will be closed for five months from the end of July until the beginning of 2003 but at the end users will reap significant benefits including:

. a new unisex changing area with new lockers improved access for people with disabilities new external front entrance, and staircase repairs to paving, boundary walls and fences replacement of flat roofs

A large part of the investment will also be spent on improvements behind the scenes including the swimming pool plant equipment and structural and fabric repairs to the building.

Executive Member for Leisure and Heritage Alan Jones said 'This significant investment is part of the council's on going commitment to improve the city's swimming facilities. The information session provides an opportunity for people to see how the facility will be improved and is part of the on-going dialogue with customers.' Edmund Wilson site manager Leon Shouksmith said, "Following the investment programme Edmund Wilson Swimming Pool will still have a 25 metre swimming pool, training pool, Total Leisure Fitness gym, Island Explorers soft play area, crche, and sun beds - but all in a more customer-friendly environment.

"Needless to say part of our planning has been to try to avoid inconvenience to existing customers over the closure period. We have worked particularly hard at relocating swimming lessons to other pools and trying to ensure that people will know what arrangements they have to make before and during the period of closure."

Plans to move the Total Leisure Fitness gym to a temporary location are also in hand with details due to be given nearer the time. Members will also be given options to continue membership at other facilities or freeze it over the closure period.

Anyone seeking more information can contact Leon on 01904 793031 or York Leisure Office commissioning manager Jacqui Benson on 01904 553394.

Information will also be available at Saturday's open session which will be staged at Edmund Wilson Swimming Pool between 11am and 3pm. The event will give people an opportunity to find out how the £1.3 million will be spent and how the work will affect the programme of activities. Officers will be available to answer any questions.

Leon said, "Anyone with any questions or concerns about access to facilities during the pool closure period should contact us or come to Saturday's event and we can give them more detailed information about the arrangements we are making."

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