A Moray swimming pool is due to reopen following a £1.1million revamp.
Residents will be able to take a dip in Forres from Monday, after a major overhaul of the building.
The seven-month project is the most expensive to be done at the pool since it opened more than 40 years ago.
A new insulated roof and walls have been fitted, with a heat recovery unit and solar panels to cut down on electricity bills. Old boilers have been replaced with new triple-glazed windows also installed.
One of the most obvious new features are new vents running the length of the pool, which will funnel hot air to keep swimmers warm.
Forres councillors were given a guided tour to inspect the new facilities ahead of them opening.
Local member George Alexander said: “It’s looking very good indeed. I hope it will encourage people to go back to it and get their Fit Life cards back because I know there have been a few cancellations while it’s been closed.
“It’s a fantastic asset for Forres to have. It’s a pity it’s taken a bit longer than expected to complete but it’s well worth it now. A lot of the work has been behind the scenes so people won’t notice a big difference but it will add up in savings.”
Other features see extra insulation on outside equipment to cut down on noise for nearby residents. Temporary changing rooms that were put up for the hydrotherapy pool, which stayed open during the works, will also be removed. A new filtration system will also keep the water cleaner than before.
Council bosses expect more than 5,600 swimmers every month to dive in once it is reopened while staff provide about 1,150 swimming lessons.
Ken Brown, the authority’s sport and leisure manager, said: “Forres swimming pool has offered considerable scope in terms of energy saving on a spend-to-save basis which will result in a quality leisure facility with enhanced energy and environmental benefits and reduced running costs.
“Pool supervisor Dave Chapman and his staff are looking forward to welcoming back the various swimming groups and regular pool users who have shown great patience during the shutdown period.”
