Swimming Pool Scene PUBLIC POOLS
ABOVE: The ASA confirms that as of June 2015, there were 5,055 public swimming in England – that’s 61 fewer pools than in 2013. Pic: Georgie Kerr.
swimming pools and consequently many of our pools in the UK are now ageing stock.
“There has been addition of new pools over the years but these have not been spread evenly across the country so it may appear is some localities there has been little or no investment but in other areas brand new facilities.”
She adds: “There always appears to be a need for more water space but there are facilities in existence with poor usage. As demographics are so different across the country it is almost impossible to ensure equal access to facilities for all but this does not mean there are not enough pools.”
Fusion Lifestyle in partnership with Southwark Council recently opened the brand new £20m Castle Centre, which features a 25m six-lane pool. The organisation has also been given the green light for the £5m renovation of the City Pool and Turkish Baths in Newcastle, which will commence this year. Meanwhile Edinburgh Leisure’s Dunbrae centre is currently undergoing a £1m refurbishment and is due to re-open in October.
Type
Pre 1900 1900's 1910's 1920's 1930's 1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's 2010's
Unknown Total
Community Organisation
15 50
264 553 660 75 28
1654
0 0 0 2 4 0 1 4
18 3 9 3 5 4
53 Education
12 15 4 7
20 7
75
224 301 183 168 207 42
206 1471 *This relates to swimming pools as of April 2015. Data provided by the ASA. Swimming Pool Scene PUBLIC POOLS 35
ABOVE: Access to pool facilities has been a contributing factor in the disappointing decline of swimming participation since the 2012 Olympics. Pic: Georgie Kerr.
Earlier this summer Oldham’s new £15m leisure centre opened, boasting a 25m eight-lane competition pool with spectator gallery, a separate learner pool, sauna, steam room and wet changing village. FT Leisure was responsible for the water treatment and filtration work for the two pools and worked alongside the main contractor, Willmott Dixon, GT Architects and structural engineers, Ramboll. All work was to specifications aimed at attracting some major county competitions to the venue.
BROAD BALANCE “Across the UK, there is generally a broadly balanced supply of public swimming pools, which is in-line with demand. However, there are still pockets across the country where there is a local under- or over-supply,” comments Tim Mills, Director of Business Development at Fusion Lifestyle.
“On a strategic level, the focus on the public health agenda has raised awareness, to both the public and the political world, of the benefits and the importance of leading an active, healthy lifestyle.
BREAKDOWN OF SWIMMING POOLS BY THE YEAR THEY WERE BUILT AND OWNER GROUP Commercial
Local
0 0 0 3 2 3 1
Authority 17 33 9
19 67 1
11
132 421 264 249 242 161 13
1639 Others
2 1 2 4 4 2 1
16 30 17 58 67 4
14 222
0 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 3 1 1
12
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 8 9
Sports Club Not Known Total
31 50 15 35 98 13 91
392 821 731
1038 1183 288 274
5060
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100