By Monica Gibson

People from Barrhead and surrounding areas are set to benefit from a £2.2 million upgrade of the swimming pool, health suite and changing rooms at the Foundry.

The refurbishment and modernisation will create a new changing village with better quality cubicles and lockers, a different layout that gives more space, along with new showers and toilets.

Improvements to the swimming pool aim to give better water quality and bathing conditions, with new tiling and energy efficient lighting.

East Renfrewshire Council leader Tony Buchanan said: “We are committed to providing quality facilities for our residents to allow them to enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle.

“This significant upgrade at the Barrhead Foundry pool will be fantastic and I can’t wait to see it completed. Once work is under way, every effort will be made to keep any disruption to a minimum and residents’ patience during this period is appreciated.”

The health suite will also be upgraded, along with a refurbished changing area for gym users.

The refurbishment will begin later this year and work on the pool and health suite is expected to be complete by summer 2018.

The pool and health suite will be closed during the upgrade.

Work on the gym changing area will be completed within three months and customers will be able to use the downstairs changing facilities, which have already been upgraded.

The gym, games hall, library and all other facilities at Barrhead Foundry, which is operated by East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure (ERCL), will remain open as normal.

While the improvement work is being carried out, swimming lessons will be transferred to Neilston Leisure Centre and ERCL will contact all customers to detail the changes.

For the majority of customers, the lessons will be on the same day and at the same time as their current lessons.

Anthony McReavy, ERCL chief executive, said: “When the work is completed, visitors to Barrhead Foundry pool will have a significantly improved facility to enjoy.

“It’s necessary to close the pool while this major refurbishment takes place but I can assure people that it will be well worth the wait. Visitors will notice a big difference in the quality of the pool, health suite and changing areas.

“With the use of natural light and new technology we’re installing, the building’s operation will be more energy efficient and reduce our carbon footprint.

“During the refurbishment, our customers can continue to swim at our other pools at Neilston Leisure Centre, Eastwood Park Leisure and Eastwood High Sports Centre.

“The process for appointing a contractor to carry out this work is under way and the exact dates for starting and completing the upgrade will be confirmed in due course.”