A PAIR of new swimming pools, replacing Central Pool and Arthur Hill Baths, will not be open until 2020 at the earliest.

A report before the borough council's policy committee says a new operator will not be found until 2018.

Reading Borough Council will look to sign a contract and have development underway in 2018 with the pools opening two years later.

Central Pool is planned to close in December next year. On Tuesday the council decided to close Arthur Hill Pool on December 19.

A temporary pool at Rivermead will open in 2018 to cover the gap with a planning application submitted shortly. The council has put aside £2m for the project.

Paul Gittings, lead member for sport, said: "The publication this week of a definitive timetable clearly illustrates this Council’s commitment to delivering two new purpose built swimming pools for Reading.

"At a time of unprecedented Government cuts to our budget, building two new pools is ambitious and a major commitment on the part of the Council, but we feel very strongly that people have the right to expect modern new sports facilities.

"The new facilities will be delivered by a development partner who will be identified through a detailed procurement process and that partner will also be responsible for the day to day management of the sites.

"The council this week had to take the very difficult decision to close Arthur Hill pool, which was being subsidised by more than £100,000 a year.

"Realistically only a huge investment would have allowed it to remain open and the budget challenge we face means we are no longer in a position to invest money in ageing facilities which would only have a limited lifespan.

"Instead, we are choosing to invest in modern new sports facilities which residents will be able to use for many years to come.

"The temporary pool which will open at Rivermead will help plug the gap pending the opening of the two new pools.

"Temporary pools of this kind are of a high standard and have successfully been used in other parts of the country."

The Palmer Park pool will boast six lanes and tag onto existing sports facilities.

The new permanent Rivermead pool will be an eight-lane competition standard pool and be the only Berkshire pool with diving facilities.

The council plan to award a contract that would encompass the design, build, operation and management of the facilities.