COLD pool water scuppered the grand opening of a Highworth swimming complex.

Organisers were forced to cancel the long-awaited return of the pool at Highworth Recreation Centre for health and safety reasons after the temperature of the water dropped by six degrees overnight.

However, it will be business as usual from today and for the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Phil Baker, the chairman of the pool’s executive committee, said: “It was very disappointing at the time, but we’re now relieved that the problem’s been solved and we’re looking forward to giving the people of Highworth an extremely positive experience.”

The project, which has cost £1.6m and took 15 months to complete, will hopefully get a formal opening ceremony later in the year.

“We’re just glad to get the pool open to our customers,” said Mr Baker.

When organisers turned up yesterday morning they were told a malfunction had been discovered with the boiler that heats the pool water.

The problem was a sticking valve, which controls the water temperature.

The temperature of the pool, which is supposed to be 28 degrees celsius had dropped to 22 degrees overnight.

According to Mr Baker children under eight are not allowed to swim in water below 27 degrees for health and safety reasons.

Mr Baker said: “We could have said to some people, yes you can swim, but it would have meant saying to others, you can’t swim so we took the decision to be fair to everybody.”

Other activities did go ahead. Mr Baker confirmed everything had been perfect for the unveiling when he left at 8.30pm on Thursday and the problem only came to light at the last minute.

Unfortunately, this was too late to warn members of the public who had bought tickets.

However, the centre has given all disappointed customers a complimentary ticket.

All those who had come along were also offered a tour of the new facility.

“Obviously we have lost a day’s income,” said Mr Baker.

“But when you consider that the people of Highworth have waited years for an indoor pool we will with stand the loss of a day’s income to ensure the pool is right rather than people come in here and have a bad experience.”

The centre is a joint venture between Swindon Council and the centre’s management committee, in association with Highworth Town Council.

While the pool, the community hall and the gym are owned by the Highworth Recreation Centre Charitable Trust the sports hall and the squash courts are owned by Swindon Council.

The Rec will be open today from 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 10am to 5pm and Monday 9am till 5pm.

For information call 01793 762602, or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/highworthrec.