The next phase of exciting improvements at Volair Halewood Leisure Centre will commence in the coming weeks.
A major refurbishment of the swimming pool facilities will start in August, as part of the wider improvement works being delivered at Volair Halewood.
To allow these works to be completed safely and efficiently, the swimming pool will be closed from Monday 10 August 2026 and is scheduled to reopen in late-October 2026.
These dates are to accommodate the availability of the specialist contractor and to minimise the impact on term-time school swimming lessons.
Improvement works
When the pool reopens, members and visitors can look forward to a modernised swimming environment, including:
- Full replacement of the moveable swimming pool floor to ensure access for all ages and abilities
- Fully refurbished changing rooms
- Refurbished toilets
- Upgraded poolside showers
- New poolside tiling
- Modern lighting throughout the pool area.
These improvements will create a brighter, more welcoming and contemporary experience for all members and visitors.
Investment in Volair Halewood
Volair Halewood is benefiting from a significant upgrade, which includes internal and external improvements and a major programme of decarbonisation that will help reduce long-term operating costs and make the centre more energy efficient, supporting the Council’s 2040 net zero agenda. You can find more about the work here or watch the video at the end of this article.
Freeze on membership fees
Volair members with a swim-only membership will have their Direct Debit adjusted to reflect the temporary pool closure.
Alternatively they can continue to access swimming at other Volair facilities including Volair Huyton, Volair Kirkby and Volair Stockbridge.
Affected members will receive separate communication from Volair with full details.
Free junior swimming
During the summer holidays children and young people in Knowsley will be able to access free swimming at Volair facilities in Huyton, Kirkby and Stockbridge. Free swimming will also be available at Halewood up until the closure (10 August).
More information will be provided about the free swimming initiative on Knowsley News.
Swimming Lessons
Parents and guardians of children enrolled on Volair’s Learn to Swim programme will receive a separate communication with further information about lessons during the refurbishment period.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The refurbishment of the swimming pool facilities is a major element of the internal improvements that will be taking place at Volair Halewood. Although there will be some temporary disruption to users I would urge everyone to bear with us during these works as I’m sure people will be delighted with the end result!”
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “Many of the upgrades and improvements at Volair Halewood have already been delivered, such as the new all-weather pitch facilities and the fully refurbished gym. The new swimming facilities are going to be fantastic for members and visitors alike and once the works are complete Halewood residents can look forward to having the most modern leisure centre facilities in the borough.”
A spokesperson for Volair said: “We are delighted that the next phase of the modernisation programme is about to commence, following the recent gym and pitch investments at the centre already.
“During the pool refurbishment period our swim-only members will have the option to pause their membership fees or enjoy the fantastic swimming facilities at one our other centres within the borough. Likewise, those looking to access swimming including our free junior swimming initiative, will still be able to do so at our other centres throughout the summer.
“We’d like to thank members and customers for their understanding, patience and continuing support for the positive transformation of the facilities, which when complete will provide a significantly upgraded leisure venue for the local community.”
£30m investment in Halewood
Knowsley Council secured £15.3m UK Government funding (now Local Regeneration Fund) and an additional £2.5 million from the City Region Sustainable Travel Settlement to invest in Halewood. In addition, the Council has secured around £13m in Section 106 contributions from developers delivering the East of Halewood housing development. This investment is already being ploughed into improved services and facilities in Halewood, meaning that over £30 million will be invested in Halewood in the coming years.
The investment plans for Halewood are to create a sustainable neighbourhood where residents have access to high quality recreation and leisure facilities, improved transport connections and an enhanced retail offer.