Swimmers at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire will need to make other plans this week as the facility's main pool closes for an intensive cleaning programme targeting an algae outbreak.

Officials confirmed the pool would undergo what they described as a shock treatment — a heavy dose of chemicals designed to kill algae growth and restore water quality to safe standards. The closure is expected to be temporary, with the pool reopening once testing confirms the water is clear and chemical levels have returned to normal.

The shutdown affects regular lap swimmers, swim clubs and school programmes that rely on the stadium pool, one of the island's primary public aquatic facilities. Regular users were advised to check with the centre for updates on the reopening schedule and to consider alternative venues in the interim.

Algae blooms in pools are typically triggered by warm temperatures, heavy usage and lapses in chemical balance, conditions that can develop quickly in Bermuda's subtropical climate. Maintenance staff said the treatment was a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of all patrons, and routine monitoring would continue after the pool reopens to prevent a recurrence.