The public swimming pool in Yeroskipou in Paphos has been forced to temporarily close due to a persistent leak, which has damaged the systems, it was announced yesterday.

The mayor of Yeroskipou, Tassos Kouzoupos announced the decision taken by the local council to close the pool on safety grounds after a meeting on Tuesday highlighted ‘safety issues’ .This emerged after a report into the problems from the company responsible for building the Olympic sized pool - Astra Pools.

According to the Cyprus News Agency Kouzoupos said the decision to close the baths was temporary until the problems are rectified.

The municipality has tried to repair the structure and stop the leak on numerous occasions over the past two years, but to no avail.

A meeting on the issue will be held next Monday and will be attended by the contractor, the designer of the pool and government officials to discuss the best way to tackle repairs.

The pool will be emptied for the repairs to go ahead.

Kouzoupos apologised for the inconvenience to the public and in particular to the swimming and boat clubs which use the facility. He also stressed that repairs would be carried out as speedily as possible.

The Yeroskipou municipality has established a reputation for attracting sports events and sports tourism in recent years and a number of swimming clubs, including some from abroad use the facilities of the pool and surrounding sports grounds.