Essential repairs needed at the DG One Leisure Complex are to take around 18 months to complete.

In a statement, Dumfries and Galloway said the issues are "more serious than initially thought".

The facility initially opened in May 2008 following a number of delays, but has been plagued with building faults and problems ever since. In October 2014, the centre was closed to allow for repair works to get underway, but further investigations have since been carried out, highlighting the extent of the problems at the venue. As a result, the council has said it will take a lot longer to address the issues, with DG One remaining closed to the public for 18 months once work begins on site. It is hoped that the dry side will open in spring 2016, with the swimming pools opening the following spring.

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Work to repair the faults is not expected to begin until autumn 2015.

Dumfries and Galloway Council are seeking compensation from the contractors, Kier Construction, who built the complex. In a statement, the authority said "certain specific standards" had not been achieved by the firm, but due to ongoing legal proceedings, could not discuss further details.

A cost of the repairs has yet to be finalised, but it is thought to be between £6m and £10m – it had initially thought to have been around £5m.

The council added that it was working to recover "all associated costs" with the closure and repairs.

Alternative facilities have been established at Loreburn Hall in the town, during the closure of DG One, while a temporary swimming pool is located in the Ice Bowl car park.

Due to the ongoing investigation, a spokesperson for Kier Construction said it would be "inappropriate" to comment further.

(JP/CD)