A date has been agreed for a leisure centre in Dumfries to close in order to allow significant repairs to be undertaken.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Dumfries and Galloway Council said that works on the DG One complex would begin on 6 October or "the earliest opportunity after that".

It is understood the entire £17m centre will close for a period of four months, while its pool will remain closed for a further 13 months. A temporary swimming pool will be located in the car park at the town's Ice Bowl, while the Loreburn Hall will be also be reopened to provide fitness suite facilities to residents. Work is already being carried out at Loreburn Hall for this purpose, with the installation of the pool beginning on 25 August – or as soon as possible after that date.

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The local authority is looking to recover the cost of repairs for the centre from contractor Kier.

Councillor Ronnie Nicholson, Chairman of the Council's Policy and Resources Committee, said: "We now have agreed an achievable programme of action and timescale for capital works at the Loreburn Hall and Dumfries Ice Bowl to ensure that we can provide appropriate alternative facilities while DG One is closed for remedial repairs.

"It is important that our council continue to provide first class leisure services while having essential repairs done at DGOne. By agreeing that DGOne won't close until October for repairs, we can ensure that the alternative facilities are in place before the closure. It will also allow the Blue Bonnets conference to take place in town and it will mean that the centre stays open over the busiest period during the summer."

(JP)