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See inside Diss Swim Centre after official reopening by Paralympic champion Jessica-Jane Applegate




A town’s swimming pool was officially reopened today following an investment, by South Norfolk Council, of nearly £4 million.

Diss Swim Centre, which has been closed since February last for improvement and refurbishment work, was reopened by gold medal-winning, British Paralympic swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate and the council’s Chairwoman Sharon Blundell.

The work on the site has included re-shaping and re-tiling the swimming pool area, expanding and improving the changing rooms, work on the entrance lobby and reception as well as creating a new pool viewing area.

British Paralympic swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate with South Norfolk Council's chairwoman, Sharon Blundell. Picture: South Norfolk Council
British Paralympic swimmer Jessica-Jane Applegate with South Norfolk Council's chairwoman, Sharon Blundell. Picture: South Norfolk Council
Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham

The £4 million investment at Diss Swim Centre was helped by securing £1.2m of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding from the Government to reduce the site’s carbon footprint.

This included installing air source heat pumps, new building cladding and insulation and solar panels on the roof.

Councillor Kim Carsok, of the council, said: “This is a really exciting time for Diss. The new centre looks fantastic following the investment and we now have a specialist swim centre where our staff can concentrate on teaching children and adults how to swim.

Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre manager, Matt Brooks. Pictures: Rich Marsham
Diss Swim Centre manager, Matt Brooks. Pictures: Rich Marsham

“Giving our residents, especially the young, confidence around water is important and the ability to swim is a skill that might one day save your life.

“Swimming and aquafit classes have so many health benefits for people of all ages and is sometimes the only form of exercise available, especially for the elderly.

“I am really delighted that the first part of our plan for Diss is now complete and residents will see we have started work on the old John Grose site, where we will deliver a new community and leisure centre for the town.”

The initial plans for the new community and leisure centre include a changing places room, a dedicated spin studio, multi-use studio and changing area on the ground floor, while the first floor will be largely dedicated to a gym with fantastic views over the Mere.

The new building will be sympathetically designed to fit seamlessly into its surroundings and be consistent with the existing buildings. The current designs include air-source heat pumps, PV (solar) installation and works to achieve BREEAM Excellent standard.

As part of the Council’s on-going engagement with local residents, South Norfolk Council will be holding public consultations to present its vision for the site.

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