£6m academy pool 'would be for community use'
LIBERAL Democrat cabinet councillors are expected to decide next week to go ahead with plans to build a new £6.2 million swimming pool in east Bristol.
It would be built at Bristol Brunel Academy – the former Speedwell Technology College – which was opened by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown five years ago.
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An artist's illustration of the new pool at Bristol Brunel Academy
But council leader Simon Cook has promised the new pool would be available for community use as well as students.
The state-of-the-art six-lane 25-metre long pool would also provide a learner pool and changing facilities.
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It is hoped that it will open sometime in 2014.
Mr Cook said: "A new pool has always been one of our aspirations.
"We have a massive £50 million 'Investment in Bristol' initiative and we want to make sure our investment delivers the maximum benefit to the city, its communities and local residents."
The Liberal Democrats made a manifesto pledge three years ago to replace the former Speedwell Pool which was closed down in 2005 along with Henbury, Bristol North, and Filwood pools.
Since then, Henbury and Horfield leisure centres have been opened to replace them as well as the more recent Hengrove leisure complex. The Jubilee Pool in Knowle is currently being refurbished.
But people in east Bristol have had nowhere nearby to go for a swim.
Mr Cook said: "We have seen the success of the new pool at Hengrove, with thousands of people taking up swimming.
"A new east Bristol pool would go some way to extending top-notch sporting facilities in the city and encourage even more people to get involved in regular exercise."
The new pool has the backing of the Amateur Swimming Association, local schools and community groups.
Bristol South pool in Dean Lane is destined for a makeover but a scheme is still being worked up in consultation with local people.
The council originally planned to rip out the changing cubicles which surround the Grade II listed pool which was built in 1931.
But locals believe these old-style changing facilities have a charm which should be kept. They also want to see old-style baths at the back of the building retained as part of a heritage project. The baths were installed when the pool was built because so many people who lived in the area had no bathrooms of their own at the time.
Comments
by DM_Fishponds
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 8:18AM
“@KBillies (and @BillyKs) can always be relied upon to put forward a point of view completely at odds with Public Opinion.
No wonder he supports the LibDems in Bristol, because they do exactly the same!”
by KBillies
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 7:20PM
“Simon Cook has good judgement.”
by Mike_Hope
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 6:50PM
“Surely not the Liberals buying votes again?”
by ASKBristol
Tuesday, July 03 2012, 3:35PM
“The swimming pool plans will be decided at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 4 July. You can watch the meeting live from 6pm at http://tinyurl.com/6xm2mps”
by Richard34
Sunday, July 01 2012, 9:22PM
“Commenter42 it wouldn't matter what I or anyone else wrote on here in argument to your posts, you will turn it around. There's no point in trying to discuss anything with you here because you are hiding behind a smoke screen user name. If you want a democratic discussion then go to your local forum which your friends probably already attend, otherwise conclude your own evidence and gather your own thoughts, which isn't a healthy way to make conclusive arguments.
All the best”
by Commenter42
Sunday, July 01 2012, 7:29PM
“Richard34 - Thank you for thinking you are somehow better than me. If getting involved in Neighbourhood Partnerships means rubbing shoulders with people like you, I won't bother. Cheers.”
by Richard34
Sunday, July 01 2012, 7:04PM
“Commenter42, this will be the last I comment to you on the subject. You should know that Neighbourhood Partnerships are not a membership organisation and they are in every area of the city and anyone can attend and everyone is heard.
If you choose not to attend or participate in your local area then this is a choice that you have taken but all decisions for St George are decided through your Neighbourhood Partnership forum. Here is your forum website. http://tinyurl.com/7jv8lbt
If you want to be heard then take part in your democratic and local forum which all of your elected councillors attend and all residents who are interested in making St George a better place.”
by Commenter42
Sunday, July 01 2012, 6:45PM
“Rishard34 - I know exactly what I meant, thankyou.
Ah, so this poll of the people of St George never actually happened. As it's restricted to membership of a specific organisation, then it can't be used as being representative of a whole area.”
by Richard34
Sunday, July 01 2012, 6:26PM
“Copmmenter42.. this isn't what you meant but you're correct that Easton Leisure Centre is to cover the central neighbourhoods and it is twice as far from Speedwell as Kingswood Leisure Centre is. But South Glos isn't Bristol and they do not advertise in Bristol either. They have their own 150,000 local people to each leisure centre without needing to cater for Bristol as well and visa versa. Both councils support local people however they can but their priority is for local people in their own county before serving another.
If you want to participate in votes and help your community to make a difference then you need to be involved in the St George Neighbourhood Partnership and your own ward within this area. This new pool will be based across the road from St George West next to Meadow Vale. A very deprived area.”
by Commenter42
Sunday, July 01 2012, 5:16PM
“Forgot to add:
Richard34 said: "St George have voted it [swimming pool] as a priority as well."
I live in St George and I do not recall Bristol City Council holding a vote on whether or not there should be a swimming pool. Could you tell me when this vote was taken so I can contact Bristol City Council to discover why I received no notification of the poll and thus was not given the opportunity to cast my vote.”