The minister in charge of the National Sports Centre has admitted he cannot give a date when the swimming pools will re-open.

Earlier this year, it had been hoped the pools at the Douglas sports complex would re-open this month (May), following a £4.2 million refurbishment.

Then that was put back until after the TT - with primary school swimming lessons set to recommence in the final half-term of the year.

But it has been delayed again - school pupils have been told there will be no swimming lessons in the summer term, but to cross their fingers for a re-start in September.

However, in the House of Keys on Tuesday, Education, Sport and Culture Minister Graham Cregeen admitted: ’Unfortunately, at this moment, we cannot give a confirmed opening day for the swimming pool at the NSC.’

The delays had been caused by issues with the flumes, he said.

Mr Cregeen earlier circulated to MHKs a written response to a question tabled by Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew), which was down for a verbal answer. The NSC was first opened in 1998 and has about 300,000 users per year.

’Included in these improvements are a new moveable set of floors on one side of the main pool which will provide increased flexibility for the delivery of swimming lessons to participants of all ranges of age and ability,’ said Mr Cregeen.

’Also included in this part of the refurbishment is improved access into the pool for people with disabilities with a new pool pod lift that will allow for those people with mobility difficulties and wheelchair users to enter the water more safely and easily.’

The refurbishment also includes new steps for those who struggled to get into the pool using vertical steps, plus a hoist system to help people with complex disabilities.

’There will be two new flumes which will replace the previous set, along with a newly located stair tower to access the flumes and a brand new zero depth play area which will provide an interesting and exciting experience for the younger age groups,’ said Mr Cregeen. He said the scheme included ’significant maintenance works’ including new lights and roofing repairs.

There has been extensive works to the water treatment plant, including the relining and new filter material to the filter vessels, new ultraviolet water treatment plant and new heat exchangers.

The scheme also includes a new set of doors at the NSC entrance, designed to be easier for users with disabilities and those with pushchairs and younger children.

The £4.2 million scheme follows earlier improvements carried out at the NSC after it was devastated by floods in 2015.

Mr Cregeen added: ’When the pool does re-open, the Isle of Man will in essence have newly refurbished dry and wet sports facilities at the National Sports Centre and, barring any further natural disasters - which we have sought to protect against with our extensive flood protection measures - will serve the island’s residents and indeed visitors to the Isle of Man for another 20 years.’