The swimming pool at Southampton City Council’s Bitterne Leisure Centre is to shut for eleven weeks for "essential maintenance work".

The Council says urgent repair and maintenance work is required to the swimming pool’s plant area, which keeps the pool going. The current equipment is 23 years old.

Closures are scheduled for December 1 to February 14, 2010. The Council says aombined Heat and Power unit will be installed to improve the energy efficiency of the building and help reduce its carbon footprint.

All other facilities at Bitterne Leisure Centre will be in full operation throughout this period.

• Bitterne Leisure Centre and Woodmill Outdoor Centre could be among the first council leisure facilities to be privatised.