THIS week readers have reacted following the announcement of the opening of the new Sands Centre, and it's certainly mixed opinions. 

The £27million Sands Centre redevelopment is nearing completion and will be open to the public soon, set to have its new pools and gym open from Monday, November 14.

The new Sands Centre building is set across two storeys and accessed by a bespoke internal street, the new build extension adds 40,000sqft to the existing building, with the redeveloped centre offering facilities including a 25m main pool and a 20m learner pool complete with a moveable floor. 

There is a four-court sports hall with a spectator gallery, a fully equipped gym, and a spinning studio and dance studios. 

There will also be a café and bar area to be provided by Hickory’s.

Lot's of readers were disappointed to see that the new £27 million project is not coming with a 50 metre length pool. 

Moreno Giovannini said: "£27M, not bad. Only a £2M overspend to not get a 50m pool which what the whole idea was sold on."

Similarly, SillyBillyBoy said: "Shame they didn't have the foresight to go ahead with the 50m pool. Carlisle could have been the leading area for swimming competitions but yet again another opportunity lost."

A reader under the alias of Medium Rare also said: "A 50m pool would bring major competitions, visitors and ultimately more people to the city. Put in a rope to split it into two 25m pools for lessons, remove the rope for competitions. There are triathletes out there as well that would love a 50m pool to train in... I'm one of them!" 

Other readers however, were excited ahead of the project's opening.

Cath McManus said: "I've been looking forward to this for over thirty years. Having a gym, pool and all the other facilities in one place is going to be fab." 

Emily M said: "It looks fab, nice to have some new looking buildings in the city and obviously is going to offer a lot to the community, good stuff." 

READ MORE: A peek inside the £27 million Sands Centre