OFFICIALS working on getting Tranent's swimming pool back open again are "devising a project timeline", six months after the announcement of £5 million of funding for its refurbishment.

The pool at the Loch Centre has been closed since January 2023 due to a fault with the roof, with residents and the town's swimming club forced to use other pools for leisure and training.

In its 2024 budget confirmed in February, East Lothian Council announced a £5 million investment over three years to bring the facility back into use.

Now six months on from the budget meeting, the works are still in the planning phase and the pool is expected to reopen in 2027.

The first year of the refurbishment is focused solely on creating the project timeline and completing design work, which is the phase of the process currently under way.

The building works are then scheduled to take place over years two and three of the project.

A council spokesperson said: “The first/current year involves design work and devising a project timeline.

"Once this has been done, we would anticipate being in a position to proceed with the necessary building works across the second and third years, which would include addressing the issues which required closure of the swimming pool.

"We look forward to providing further information in due course”

READ MORE: Loch Centre swimming pool to reopen after £5m boost

Bill Axon, chief executive of Enjoy Leisure, which operates the Loch Centre on behalf of the council, said: “The team at Enjoy Leisure are thrilled about the investment agreed by East Lothian Council for the Loch Centre.

“The benefits of movement are endless, and the new facilities will offer many more people opportunities to boost their physical activity and personal wellbeing.”