IPSWICH: A multi-million pound project to transform Crown Pools is set to begin in the New Year, it emerged today.

IPSWICH: A multi-million pound project to transform Crown Pools is set to begin in the New Year, it emerged today.

Planning permission has been submitted to install seven portable units at the council-owned centre to provide a main reception area and changing facilities for six months while the work is ongoing.

The refurbishment, estimated to cost �3.5million, is designed to modernise and improve the facilities, and should be completed some time next year.

The first phase includes revamping the reception area and installing new floors and lighting in the changing rooms. The second phase will see improvements made to the roof and the general pool plant, including the boilers.

This renovation comes on the back of a �479,000 investment to improve Ipswich's Fore Street swimming pool.

Judy Terry, Ipswich Borough Council's leisure spokeswoman, said: “Now that the Fore Street improvements are nearing completion, we are moving towards the �3.5million renovation at Crown Pools.

“This shows our commitment to sports provision in general and swimming in particular.”

Fore Street pool, the second oldest operating pool in the country, closed in August for 12 weeks and since then many of the classes have been switched to Crown Pools.

The project to refurbish the 114-year-old pool has involved re-roofing, guttering, and a full internal and external decoration.

Crown Pools was built in the 80s at a cost of �5.5million. It has a leisure pool, a small teaching pool, and an eight lane 25 metre competition pool. It also has a gym and sauna and steam room.

What do you think of Ipswich's sports facilities? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk