RADCLIFFE'S new temporary swimming pool will be officially opened tomorrow by a host of swimming stars ahead of a community open day this weekend.

Five-time Olympic and World champion Mark Foster will be among the sporting names at Radcliffe Leisure Centre’s formal opening ceremony, alongside around 100 pupils from St Mary’s, Gorsefield, Wesley Methodist and Chapelfield primary schools.

They will be joined by other members of Team GB, including three-time Commonwealth swimming champion James Goddard and Olympic medallist Jo Jackson.

The centre, on the site of the old Radcliffe Riverside School in Spring Lane, opened to the public on Monday afternoon, and will host the open day on Saturday, with local residents able to take part in activities for just £1.

The new £1.25 million facility replaces the former site in Green Street, which was shut after storm damage in December 2013 revealed structural decay deemed too costly to repair.

Councillor Rishi Shori, deputy leader of Bury Council, said: “This is a fantastic new pool at a really handy location where we can also offer gym, sports and fitness facilities together on one site. The open day offers a great opportunity for the community to come along, have a good look around and try out the new facilities.

“Although our long-term plan is to build a brand new permanent leisure centre on the site of the old one, it’s really important we continue to provide accessible fitness facilities to our residents. I’m sure the people of Radcliffe will make the most of the pool and what Radcliffe Leisure Centre as a whole has to offer.”

The Open Day activities to be held on Saturday comprise:

In the pool.

?11.30am to 12.30pm – Splash Time! Fun session with toys and floats for younger children.

? 12.30pm to 1.30pm: Pool time for all.

?1.45pm to 3.15pm: Pool fun with floats for older children.

In the sports hall.

? 11.30am to 5.30pm: Badminton and table tennis.

?Noon to 3pm: Bouncy castle – for younger children.

In the studio.

? 11am to 11.30am: 30-minute high intensity workout.

?1.30pm to 2.30pm: Mixed Body Step and Piloxing sessions.

There will also be the opportunity to book children in for swimming lessons, tour the gym and meet the I Will If You Will Team, whose mission is to make women and girls more active.

Anyone wanting to try out the facilities after the open day will have the opportunity to take out a limited period offer of all-inclusive membership for 30 days for £20, available until July 31.