THESE photos show a first look inside the revamped Taunton Pool.

The facility, on Station Road, has undergone a £1.2million makeover and will reopen to the public this month.

The County Gazette was given a behind-the-scenes tour of the pool today (May 7) ahead of a visit from Taunton Deane councillors.

Alison North, community leisure manager at the Deane, said finishing touches are being put in place and swimmers can expect to see it for themselves within the next two weeks.

She added: “This is the first significant work the pool has had in the last 40 years. We have had delays and it has come with challenges.

“But the work that has been done is all part of improving the experience for users.

“We wanted to make sure that users would really notice the difference and we tried to make the design future proof because before the revamp it was a creature of its time.”

The pool area has been brightened up and now includes a sauna and a steam room, while the reception has also been made more welcoming.

Somerset County Gazette:

The renovation - funded by the Deane with help from a £500,000 Sport England grant - has also seen the creation of a 'village' changing area, complete with disabled access.

Work has also been done under the bonnet to replace old boilers and pipes in the pool's plant room.

Alison said: “These are things that the public won't see but they will make a real difference to the swimming experience.

“They won't see these things but they will certainly feel the effects.”

As reported in last week's County Gazette, plans have been drawn up for a new £5.3million pool at Blackbrook Pavilion.

If it goes ahead, swimmers could be taking a dip in the facility by 2016, but Alison dismissed claims it would become a 'replacement' for Taunton Pool.

Somerset County Gazette:

She said: “The idea is that the two pools will be very much working together. Blackbrook is about replacing the pool in St James Street and we needed to do something about that.

“These pools are part of the future of swimming provision in Taunton.”

Somerset County Gazette:

Taunton Pool will officially be opened by former British Olympic swimmer Mark Foster on June 1.

Take a virtual tour of Taunton Pool by viewing the video below... and let us know what you think!