By Judith Tonner

Copyright dailyrecord

Blantyre leisure centre’s swimming pool, games hall and newly-relocated library facility have opened their doors for customers – but its gym remains closed and the pool will shut again for at least two months from November for a second phase of renovation work. The area’s new library has now been set up in the centre’s reception area, and will be available for readers to use from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 5pm at weekends. Leisure customers are now able to return to fitness classes and racquet sport bookings in the games hall; while public swimming sessions are back for the next five weeks but with a reduced timetable which is “bringing Blantyre in line with all other facilities across South Lanarkshire”. The Glasgow Road leisure centre closed in late August for the first phase of work, as one of 13 facilities across South Lanarkshire included in a £2.74 million redevelopment project – which now sees similar closures in place at Carluke leisure centre and at John Wright sports centre in East Kilbride from September 30 for six weeks. Blantyre users were told in the latest project update from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC): “The first phase of planned maintenance works are now complete with some services returning to Blantyre leisure centre on September 29. “The refurbished reception area will reopen and we are pleased to confirm the centre now has library provision in place. Our games hall will reopen for fitness classes and racquet sport bookings. “Public swimming will return for a short time before we begin improvement works to our pool changing areas. The pool will reopen [on September 29] with a reduced timetable and then will temporarily close from November 3 until the new year to allow the upgrade of the air handling system, shower/drains, lockers and changing cubicles. “During this time, the pool will be closed for public and club swimming and our lesson programme will be paused. Swimming lesson customers will receive further information regarding their direct debit.” It adds: “The gym will remain closed until further notice with upgrading works planned later this year, as part of our ongoing transformation project; users can continue to access the gyms at surrounding centres.” A library space has now been created in the leisure centre’s reception area to continue providing a local book-lending facility, along with services including printing and photocopying, following the closure of the area’s previous dedicated library building at Clydeview shopping centre. The hub – which includes a children’s section featuring brightly-painted mural walls – is open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and from 8am to 5pm at weekends, with staff in place for assistance and printing from 9.15am-12.30pm 1.30-5.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 9.15am to 12.15pm on Thursdays. Printing can only take place during staffed hours but photocopying is available throughout opening hours. South Lanarkshire Council say: “The library hub offers a bright, welcoming space to borrow books, browse new titles and enjoy reading in the heart of the local community.” Further gym and studio upgrades are now planned at Blantyre, while the work beginning on November 2 involves upgrades to the pool changing village, showers and drainage, plus the dry-side corridor and male changing room plus external works. Council officials add: “Swimming will close on Sunday, November 2; SLLC will communicate with users during this period and advise on a potential reopening date as soon as it is available.” The centre’s reopening comes as facilities at both Carluke and John Wright sports centres close for six weeks from September 30 for “transformational upgrade works” including installation of new gym, cardio and resistance equipment plus a “refreshed look”. Carluke’s gym, function suite and fitness studio are closed but swimming and ACE children’s activities are continuing as normal; while the East Kilbride centre’s gym and group fitness hall are closed with a revised fitness class timetable in place and ACE children’s activities also continuing. Gym users from the respective centres are being directed to alternatives centres at Lanark, the Willie Waddell centre in Forth and at Blackwood & Kirkmuirhill; and at the Dollan Aqua Centre, Eastfield Lifestyles and Strathaven leisure centre. South Lanarkshire officials add of the refurbishment: “Carluke will also gain upgraded group cycles and improved accessibility options with the addition of Motomed machines. All gym equipment is supplied by industry leaders Pulse Fitness, ensuring customer access to high-quality equipment suited for all fitness levels.” * Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!