CONSTRUCTION of a demountable pool which will fill the town's absence of swimming facilities is set to finish in the New Year, a councillor has revealed.

Although originally expected to open by the end of the year an issue with the supply of steelwork pushed the completion date back to the second week of January.

The pool is expected to remain at its site in Rivermead for at least two years, or until the pool at Palmer Park, and competition pool at Rivermead, are refurbished.

After the closures of Arthur Hill and Central Pool, Reading was left with a severe shortage of swimming facilities.

The demountable pool is a temporary solution, and will be too shallow for Reading Diving Club, Reading Synchro Club, and the Octopush Club to use.

Reading Borough Council are currently searching for facilities for these clubs to use until 2020 when the pools at Rivermead and Palmer Park are expected to be completed.

Councillor Sarah Hacker, lead councillor for culture, sport and consumer services, said: “There has been a slight delay related to the supply of steelwork and we currently anticipate that the pool will be ready to open in the second week of January.”

Academy Sport in South Reading has now been added to the long list of pools set to undergo refurbishment as it will close until the end of January 2018.

To ensure there are still facilities in Reading, Central Pool will now remain open until the end of January in a bid to reduce disruption as much as possible.

Cllr Hacker, continued: “You may also be aware that the council is closing the pool at Academy Sport in South Reading for an extended period until the end of January 2018 to carry out some major improvement work to essential plant and equipment.

“In order to ensure that as much water space is available to users we will defer the closure of the Central Pool until the end of January to coincide wth the Academy Sport pool re-opening.

“I would also like to emphasise that the school lesson programme at Academy Sport has been transferred in its entirety to Central Pool along with transport provided so that there is no additional cost for the affected schools.”