Bramcote leisure centre pool design prompts concerns
Last year the authority said it expected to have "spades in the ground" by the spring, with the build planned to take one year but currently it could not confirm a cost or timescale for the project.Planning documents show construction will take place in phases, allowing the existing leisure centre to remain operational while the new facility is built on the current car park. But the size of the new main pool and associated viewing area have been questioned.
Martin Heathfield is the chair of Bramcote Swimming Club, which has members competing at national and international level.He said it was "fantastic" the centre was being replaced, and while they had assurances the pool depth would be increased from 1.3 to 1.8m (4.3 to 5.9ft), issues remained.He said: "We welcome some movement on the depth. It started off - for our purposes - not deep enough."We need 1.8 minimum for our competitive swimmers so we can dive and hold proper competitions."We also have an artistic swimming section and they need 2m depth."They currently train at Bramcote but at 1.8 depth they won't be able to do so."
'Serious error'
Currently spectators can sit in banked seating along the length of the main pool but this is to be replaced by a smaller, enclosed viewing area next to the training pool.Mr Heathfield said: "A larger spectator area means we can continue to hold the larger competitions at Bramcote."We are really hoping we can sit round a table with the consultants and talk it through."Liberal Democrat David Watts, who represents the Bramcote ward on the district council, said the current pool and viewing area plans were a "serious error".He said: "We are deeply disappointed that the council have not properly consulted the teams that currently use the pool and ensured that their needs are being met. "They still have the opportunity to amend things and get them right, but this needs to be done urgently."In a statement, the council said: "Currently the depth of the main pool is to be decided, as this is forming part of the consultation process. "However, the minimum depth for swimming competitions is 1.35m, as per Swim England and FINA – International Swimming Federation regulations. "As a result, this will be the absolute minimum depth, which the pool will be constructed at, however, we do expect this to be increased further once consultation is complete."
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