The pools at Freeman’s Quay in Durham City will reopen for swimmers next week.

On Monday, 21 October the main pool and the small pool at the Durham County Council leisure centre will reopen with a brand-new programme, featuring new aqua classes and more time for general swim.

Since opening in 2008, the leisure centre has seen over five million customers walk through its doors.

The pools were closed earlier in the year for essential repair work, which saw both pools fully retiled. Whilst the repairs were taking place the changing village and toilets were refurbished, with new lockers and changing cubicles added to modernise the space.

The reception and studio areas have also been freshened up with new flooring and wall decoration, and a new LCD screen has been put up which will display customer information.

The aqualearn programme (swimming lessons) will resume from Monday 4 November, following the half term break.

Nigel Dodds, Durham County Council’s strategic manager for sport and leisure, said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst the repair work was being carried out.

“After listening to feedback from customers, we have reworked our pool programme to introduce some new classes and to accommodate more time for general swim. We are really looking forward to welcoming back swimmers this autumn.”

The new pool timetables be found by visiting www.durham.gov.uk/swimming or by downloading the thrive active app.