Work starts on Olympic-sized pool for south Bristol
Work is under way on what will become the biggest public swimming pool in the West Country.
Diggers have moved in to transform part of Hengrove Park in south Bristol into a £25m leisure complex, including an Olympic-sized pool.
It is due to open in the spring of 2012. The start of the work was marked by a display of synchronised "swimming" on a blue tarpaulin.
The centre is part of the wider regeneration of the Hengrove Park area.
Kath Britton, from Bristol City Council, said the city had been crying out for a 50m pool for many years.
"In terms of size it is going to be very impressive and the whole of the south west will be able to benefit from this for competitions.
"For the community it will be brilliant opportunity too as a leisure pool," she said.
The wider Hengrove Park Regeneration Scheme will see a new community Hospital and a skills academy to help local people with training and employment opportunities.