Councillors give thumbs up to slide reopening

It’s hoped work will be carried out on the slide in December and the feature will reopen soon after.

The slide was closed in 2007 when water spilling over the sides leaked through the floor of the pool hall and into the basement of the centre.

The work is part of an extensive refurbishment programme to be carried out at the centre.

The slide will be repainted and work will be carried out on the tiling and machinery in the pool’s undercroft.

The entrance to the Valley Leisure Centre will also be significantly changed. The security hut will be removed and new entrance features put in place.

The car park will also be remodelled to prevent cars from blocking the entrance - something which has been a long-term problem at the Church Road site.

A council statement said: “The council has made provision in the 2012/13 budget to carry out refurbishment works to the Valley Leisure Centre.

“Following feedback from elected members and users, two key elements were identified, to include works to both the interior (pool hall) and exterior (entrance area). 

“The main aspects of the entrance works include improving access by removing the security hut, introducing new surfacing, lighting, fencing and gates and remodelling the lower part of the main car park to prevent unauthorised parking which currently causes significant congestion at the entrance to the centre.

“The estimated cost for the exterior entrance element of the scheme is £125,000 and this work will take place in autumn 2012.”

It added: “The specification for the refurbishment of the swimming pool and the works to the slide is currently being drawn up. Timing options for the closure of the pool are limited with the next feasible period being December 2012. A formal proposal will be presented to members in due course with a view to carrying out the work in December to minimise the disruption to users.”

Councillor Robert Hill, Chairman of the Development Committee, welcomed the scheme at the Valley.

“The investment, both to the entrance of the centre and the pool, will make a real difference to those using the facility and the objective is to improve the experience for our customers.

“By taking away the security hut and introducing new lighting, the front of the building will be brighter and more welcoming,” he said.

A regular pool user and father-of-two from Monkstown added: “I would love it if the slide re-opened - I may even bring the kids to use it.”