Swimming Pool Complex Update 22-02-10

After months of planning and public consultation, architects have decided on a final design for the pool in Salthouse Road, Millom. The aim is to build a four lane, 25 metre pool, half the length of an Olympic pool, but larger than the town’s current 18 metre, three lane pool. The pool will also have a multi-purpose room and a gym.

Martin Lindus, director of the project’s architect firm Saunders Boston, said: “In terms of the business plan it indicates that a swimming pool of 20 metres in length would be adequate but we like to be aspirational and plans are moving forward for a 25 metre pool. It would be eight-and-a-half metres wide. A  lot of people wanted a facility where they could go in with children and grandchildren, and teaching them in a swimming pool of 25 metres allows them to get used to the length, especially if they are training on a competitive level with school. We have produced some initial sketches in plan form but there could be considerable change in relation to the Environment Agency so it is too early to give them out.”

Officers from the Environment Agency will visit the site to assess any restrictions that may be imposed on the project regarding flooding issues. The proposed site of the swimming pool is categorised by the Environment Agency as a higher risk area, which means detailed flood risk surveys must be completed before a planning application can be submitted.

Mr Lindus said the building would have a raised ground floor to allow  rain water to pass underneath the building. He said: “It is in an area that is in a higher risk zone as identified by the Environment Agency. We have built in situations like that before and plan to raise the floor. To anyone using the building it won't look any different, the inside floor will be accessible by a ramp.” The pool would have a mix of open plan family changing rooms and also separate male and female changing areas. The building, which will eventually replace the current pool, will be fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Action.

Roland Woodward, chairman of Millom and Haverigg Economic Development Group, which is leading the project, said: “If we have everything we really like it is probably  going to cost more than £2.5m, but we can lower our sights if needs be. There are various things to do and we will have a committee meeting about it this week to see what we are going to do.”

First published at 13:15, Monday, 22 February 2010 Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

The latest meeting of the Swimming Pool Group took place at MNC on Friday 15th January to review the last consultation phase and to continue to refine the facilities design brief.  There has been good dialogue with Building Schools for the Future representatives on the pool project and the possible site for the pool facilities.  It is hoped that ground investigation will begin in the next few weeks and it is the intention to submit a planning application by the end of March.  The project is still subject to capital funding. There will be a meeting for funders/stakeholders at MNC on 5th February.  

If you know of a group or individual that wants to contribute financially to the project,

please refer them to paul@millomnetworkcentre.co.uk  or telephone Paul Stewart 01229 719650 for more details.

Swimming Pool Complex Updates