Have a say on £13m swimming pool plans (From Worcester News)

Have a say on £13m swimming pool plans

1:10pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Tom Edwards

Have a say on £13m swimming pool plans

PEOPLE across Worcester are being urged to have their say on proposals for a new £13 million swimming pool in the city.

A major consultation has begun, which aims to gauge public opinion over committing such a huge sum of money to the project.

With the current pool at Sansome Walk becoming increasingly worn-out, Worcester City Council wants to splash the cash on a new facility.

Under the proposal, a 25-metre pool with eight lanes, a 150-station gym, dance studios, a creche, 250 seats for spectators and parking for up to 350 cars will be built on land next to the existing Perdiswell Leisure Centre.

The current building will be demolished once the new facility opens, which is expected to be in 2016.

But the project depends on public support. Councillor Jabba Riaz, the cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: “We are determined that the Olympic spirit will live on in Worcester, and to this end we want to ensure that we look to the future and provide excellent swimming facilities for generations to come.”

The two existing five-a-side football pitches at Perdiswell would be resurfaced and reconfigured under the scheme. The golf course would stay the same, but the existing golf shop would be housed in the new complex.

When it comes to funding, no decisions have been made on where the cash will come from, but it could include loans or money raised from selling off land.

The consultation runs until Sunday, October 28. To have your say, log on to worcester.gov.uk/voiceit .

People can also send their comments in writing to Swimming Pool Consultation, 2nd Floor Orchard House, Farrier Street, Worcester, WR1 3BB.

The council is also planning to place roadshow-style stalls in Worcester High Street, at Tesco in St Peter’s and Warndon, Sainsbury’s in Blackpole and St John’s, at Worcester College of Technology and the sixth form college.

For the times and dates of the nearest roadshow to you, call 01905 722552.