The NSC flumes are set to be finished two-and-a-half years after the original completion date.

All swimming facilities at the NSC closed on Tuesday for several weeks as the final stage of the installation of the flumes, revamped leisure pool and indoor splash zone goes ahead.

This follows lengthy delays for the manufacture and installation of the new flumes.

The project first began in August 2018 with work due to be completed on the £4.2 million refurbishment by May 2019.

According to the government, the work is expected to take ’several weeks’ but once complete will mean the new facilities will be fully open.

In August 2019, the main pool reopened but the play pool and flumes remained closed.

Almost a year later in June 2020, the National Sports Centre reopened with the hope the flumes could be finished by the end of summer.

Dr Alex Allinson, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said: ’All the contractors and staff involved have been working over the summer to complete this complicated and much delayed project.

’I apologise for this further closure which will enable scaffolding to be removed and the whole system to be commissioned.

’I hope people can begin to get excited about the fantastic facilities we are close to unveiling at the NSC.’

The closure includes school swimming lessons. Members, pool hirers, parents of school children and swim lesson participants will be contacted about their direct debits, credits and memberships in due course.

The government has assured that as soon as an official reopening date is known it will be publicised.