Points to consider in pool plans

I have just read several letters recently commenting on various aspects of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's plans to redevelop swimming facilities in Shrewsbury.

The plans and proposals have been discussed for more than 12 months and have involved a working party talking to specialist consultants about the future need of any swimming centre in the area.

The time has come for the report produced by these specialists to be opened up to the public and that has been agreed by the council. The report covers 87 pages and can be made available on request to the council. But I would like to stress that absolutely no decisions have yet been taken.

If members of the public want to influence any decisions, it is important that they write in with any comments in the next few weeks.

I would like to make the following observations.

1. The present swimming centre was built in the 1960s and has extremely high running costs due to poor insulation and very old heating equipment. It costs council tax payers over £800,000 a year in running costs.

2. The pools are on different levels and that makes both access for the disabled and the provision of supervisory staff difficult and expensive.

3. The building is of poor aesthetic design.

4. It is the council's intention to redevelop on the site subject to consultation.

5. There have been a number of new pools built in the area - Bannantynes, the Welti Centre, Concorde College and at Shrewsbury School. This may mean that needs have changed.

6. The current trend is to build flat bottom pools for training purposes so that the whole of the pool is used and not just the shallow end.

7. The needs of very young children need considering.

Whatever is decided, I assure residents that it is the council's intention to improve present facilities.

Peter Nutting, Leader of SABC