LEISURE facilities will be affected in Dorchester this weekend ahead of the opening of a new £8million centre.

The pool at The Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre has now closed in preparation for the opening of the new Dorchester Sports Centre on Monday, October 22.

The fitness suite at the existing centre closes for good at 10pm tonight, Friday, and the sports hall will be open for pre-booked sessions only on Saturday and closed all dayon Sunday.

Bookings on the grass pitches will be honoured on Saturday and Sunday while the artificial pitch will be closed all day on Sunday but open as usual at all other times.

The new centre is due to open at 7am on Monday.

Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre manager Mark Jenkins said: “I would like to apologise for any inconvenience during the transition period.

“We have limited this as much as possible but some disruption is inevitable as we prepare to close down one centre and open another. The new centre offers an absolutely first class experience.

“I am confident that visitors will be very impressed when they come through the doors and start using it.

“I would like to thank local residents and the community for their patience and understanding while the centre was built.”

Anyone with questions about bookings, classes or sessions should call 01305 266772.