Essential maintenance work will be undertaken at Hatfield Swim Centre, following the recent discovery of some degradation of two of the structural pillars. Funding for the vital works was agreed by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s Cabinet on 6 December 2011.

Damage to the concrete was recently discovered during routine checks of the structure, which revealed chloride levels to be unusually high; remedial repairs will be undertaken to fix the damage using an extraction procedure called ‘desalination.

The maintenance project, including the protection of the pillars to prevent any future issues with chloride is expected to take between six and eight months to complete; no disruption to any services at the Swim Centre is expected during the repair process.

If left untreated, the high levels of chloride could lead to further erosion of the concrete and the eventual deterioration of the whole building. The chloride poses no risk to the users of the swimming pool facility.

Councillor Tony Kingsbury, Executive Member for Policy and Culture said: “Without work to repair these pillars now, longer term Hatfield Swim Centre will decline and the building would be under threat of collapse. I can assure residents and users of the facility that there is no immediate threat to the Swim Centre or to visitors, and it is anticipated that the work will not affect the day-to-day running of the centre.” Important, planned repair work to the roof of the swim centre will coincide with the structural maintenance being carried out on the pillars.