IT IS fitting that in this Olympic year, Bristol is celebrating the imminent opening of a new multi-million pound, Olympic- sized swimming pool. As the nation battles to survive the on-going credit crunch, it is wonderful that Bristolians will soon be able to enjoy such an impressive new facility.

The city has been beleaguered by chronic under-investment for decades, with unflattering comparisons made to other UK cities in recent weeks.

With the saga of an arena, a new stadium and, more recently, the threats to the city's ice rink prompting an outpouring of opinion, the new pool is undoubtedly a boost to Bristol's spirits.

The pool forms part of the £35 million Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, which has been more than three years in the making.

As well as the pool, there will also be a gym, a dance studio and a climbing wall.

And with the new South Bristol Community Hospital and Bristol College building completing the scheme, Hengrove Park will be an impressive destination in south Bristol.

We are all being encouraged to become more active in 2012, as we build up to this summer's London Olympics – and Bristol's new pool points us all in the right direction.