THE swimming pool at Visions Leisure Centre in Cumnock has been closed - and will remain out of use for at least two weeks.

Extensive repair work is being undertaken on the pool's heating system, after the pandemic delayed initial work being carried out.

The pool at the centre has been closed until at least Monday, March 20, with sourcing parts for the existing system now becoming the main priority while work continues on putting a permanent new system in place.

Everything else at Visions will run as normal.

Kaye Hannah, chair of Cumnock and District Leisure Group, which runs the centre, said: "The new system is now at planning stage. However, our boilers are basically limping along and have become unreliable.

"We have experienced ongoing water temperature issues and disruption to opening over the past months which frustrates our customers and us.

"Engineers have identified, to continue to operate our pool while we await this work being carried out, we must replace essential expensive parts which are bespoke or a substitute."

Kaye added: "The board have therefore taken the difficult decision to close the pool until Monday, March 20 while these extensive repairs are undertaken.

"During a meeting with contractors this morning, sourcing replacement parts is now the main concern. They are no longer ‘off the shelf’ parts. 

"Over the last several weeks work has been carried out and improvements made. However, as one part is replaced another fails.

"We have been working very closely with and have been supported by East Ayrshire Council. 

"However, we still await the approved upgrades to our plant room and the connection to the Barony Campus biomass.

"Therefore, it’s outwith our control. 

"We can only sincerely apologise for the inconvenience; we thank our loyal customers for your patience and understanding and hope our next update is to confirm a reopening date."