DORCHESTER Sports Centre swimming pool has fully reopened after work to fix storm damage was completed.

To mark the occasion, operators 1610 are hosting an open weekend of free family fun next weekend.

The pool, which fully reopened today, had been partly cordoned off due to safety reasons following damage to the centre roof during the winter storms.

Now repairs to the roof have been completed, free swimming and fun activities have been organised.

Managers says the open weekend is a special thank you to 1610 customers for their patience during the partial closure of the swimming pool.

It begins on Saturday May 31 with an afternoon of free swimming for children in the learner and main pool.

On Sunday, June 1 Dorchester Sports Centre’s 1610 members can bring along a guest for a free swim as part of the open weekend.

Dorchester Sports Centre Manager Kenny Brown said: “We really appreciate how important the swimming pool is to the local community and the cordoning off the facility had meant some disruption for some regular users of the pool.

“We are delighted that the pool is now fully functional following repairs and we wanted to say a big thank you to everyone with some free swimming and activities and what better way for local families to enjoy the end of half term with some free family fun time.”

1610 leisure trust leases Dorchester Sports Centre from West Dorset District Council which owns the building.

Leader of West Dorset District Council Robert Gould said: “I am pleased that by working closely with Dorset County Council, 1610 Ltd and the builders of the new sports centre, Bouygues, the repairs to the roof have been completed.

“The centre remains extremely popular and provides the community and local schools with broad range of first class activities”.

Open Weekend: Free Swimming at Dorchester Sports Centre Saturday May 31 1.05 – 3.30pm Free Access to Learner Pool for all Children 2.00 – 4.45pm Free Access to Main Pool for all Children.

From 12.30 – 5.00pm the fitness team will be based in reception with some fun very easy activities and small prizes to be won.

Sunday, June 1 9.00 – 11.45am 1610 members bring one guest for a free swim 3.30 – 4.55pm 1610 members bring one guest for a free swim For more details of the Open Weekend contact Dorchester Sports Centre Tel 01305 858400.