COUNCILLORS have agreed to spend millions of pounds on much-needed behind-the-scenes refurbishments at a busy leisure centre.

A report to Darlington Borough Council cabinet members said that, without the improvements, some of the electrical and mechanical systems at the Dolphin Centre were at risk of 'catastrophic failure'

The full council had previously approved £2.7m for improvements to the 'back of house' systems at the centre – many of which have not been updated since the it opened 33 years ago.

The release of that funding was approved by members of the council's ruling cabinet committee at a meeting on Tuesday (April 7).

A detailed study has been carried out, identifying the work that needs to be carried out and in what order.

An initial phase of work will begin in September and last until next March, with the remaining work staggered over the next five to seven years.

The report to cabinet members said elements of the centre's mechanical, electrical and plant installations were now in need of 'significant ongoing maintenance, with some areas being liable to critical/catastrophic failure in the near future.

Cabinet members also agreed to allocate £210,000 of council funding to cover the anticipated loss of income, as areas of the centre will need to be temporarily closed when work is carried out.

The centre, in Horsemarket, was opened in 1982 and attracts more than 900,000 visits a year.

Its last significant refurbishment came in 2006, when only limited work to the mechanical and electrical systems was carried out, as it was felt the majority of the installations had a further ten to 12 years' life expectancy.

Among the priority works to be carried out in phase one are the replacement of a boiler and the refurbishment of a back-up boiler and the replacement of ceiling panels, lighting and windows in the swimming pool area.

The report to members indicated that the final cost may be higher than anticipated, adding: "This is an extremely complex project that is at the early stages of development.

"While it is intended to carry out the work within the £2.7m allocation, there needs to be a level of flexibility depending on final design and costs."

Council leader Bill Dixon said: "It may seem like a large amount of money to some people, but we've got to remember that the centre attracts nearly a million visitors a year, more than ten times the population of the borough. It's a fantastic facility."

Conservative group leader Heather Scott agreed the improvements are necessary and added: "Hopefully, we will get through the works without too much disruption."