A MAJOR bid to give Ipswich's swimming pools a radical makeover has been rubberstamped by town chiefs.Crown Pools will have £3.6million spent on it while Fore Street swimming pool will get an investment of £300,000.

A MAJOR bid to give Ipswich's swimming pools a radical makeover has been rubberstamped by town chiefs.

Crown Pools will have £3.6million spent on it while Fore Street swimming pool will get an investment of £300,000.

A further £113,000 will be spent making Broomhill Pool safe, either by boarding it over or filling it with sand, and funding an assessment of the venue's future.

The major investment was given the green light at a meeting of Ipswich Borough Council's executive committee yesterday.

Liz Harsant, leader of the council, said the Crown Pools revamp will include refurbishment of the changing areas, foyer and repairing the roof.

She added that the future of Broomhill Pool will become clearer once an assessment is carried out.

“The future doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be closed but it is an awfully expensive luxury and one we cannot afford to fund in these times.”

Crown Pools consists of a competition, leisure and teaching pool, as well as other facilities like a fitness suite and crèche. The council has been considering either renovating or replacing it for several years.

Fore Street pool was built in 1854, and is primarily used for clubs, schools and private hire.