A YORK swimming pool is set to close for 20 weeks at the beginning of next summer in a £1 million refurbishment package.

The work on the Edmund Wilson pool, in Thanet Road, Acomb, and the proposed sale of the Barbican Centre, could mean two of York's main swimming facilities being shut at the same time.

And the swimming facilities at the College of Ripon and York St John are to be demolished early next year to make way for a Learning Development Centre.

That pool is used by school groups and members of the public, as well as students.

The Edmund Wilson pool will close at the end of the summer term until Christmas, 2002, for extensive work on changing room facilities, replacing pipework and valves, replacing the ventilation system, replacing emergency lighting, surveying a concrete chimney, repairing a concrete canopy, relocating the creche and providing toilets for disabled people.

The news comes as the city awaits a decision from councillors about the future of the Barbican and the possibility of a closure of the facilities on the site for redevelopment work.

Following the Evening Press Save Our Swim campaign last year, councillors approved a £7 million spending programme on the Edmund Wilson, Yearsley and Barbican pools - which included spending £1 million on a rejuvenation project at Edmund Wilson.

Acting head of the council's leisure office Charlie Croft told its Shadow Executive of opposition Liberal Democrat councillors that the work must involve closing the facility completely to the public.

He said the future of the Barbican Centre could be known in the next couple of weeks, as councillors will be asked to look at submitted plans from 11 bidders.

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, September 05, 2001