New Swimming Pool

amenity · New Swimming Pool

This was taken from the Standard 24 Nov 06.
Is Les Double right?

A MULTI-MILLION pound leisure centre, with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, has been proposed in Tendring. Thestate-of-the-art complex would be "geographically centralised" and could replace the district's other facilities, including Clacton Leisure Centre, Frinton and Walton Swimming Pool and Dovercourt Swimming Pool.
It has even been suggested the complex can be built before the 2012 London Olympics and teams of athletes competing in the games could use the 50m pool.
Councillors are concerned youngsters are snubbing leisure centres in Tendring in favour of bigger complexes in Colchester and Ipswich.
It is thought Tendring Council could benefit from providing a single leisure complex instead of a number dotted across the area.
A committee which looks at finances and performance - the corporate management committee - has asked councillors responsible for development and delivery to look into the proposal.
Councillor David Lines, chairman of the committee, said, "The idea is for a major centre which will improve accessibility for the outlying parts of the district.
it is purely an idea at this stage, but if the service development and delivery committee runs with it, it might become more of a reality.
"The Olympic Games are just around the corner and maybe one of two of the teams could use it for their training because of our proximity to London.
"Everyone agrees sport has got to take a larger role in people's lives and I would think more people will want to be involved in sport after the Olympics."
Councillor Les Double suggested it could form part of a new community in the district in the A133/A120corridor between Clacton and Harwich and Colchester.
"It is blue sky thinking, but it could be done very quickly," he said.
"We have scope for a new community and this could be part of it if we can encourage someone like Virgin Leisure to come along."
The service development and delivery committee will discuss the proposals on Monday, December 4.

EssexGurl

I really hope that this doesnt go ahead. I know the pool we have isnt great but at least we can get to it easily enough.

One big centralised pool is great for those who have cars etc but what about those who dont. What about schools, I know a few of them walk to the pool and some use connexions to get their pupils there. Perhaps thats why he thinks this'll be a good idea - more work for his little transport company.

And I am betting that it'll cost a whole lot more to go swimming if it happens.

amenity

Sorry Les Double,

This idea won't float in on an olympic ideal. Just think of the cities that have almost gone into ruin over these olympic pools.
Not so much "blue sky thinking" more like day dreaming.

Imagine having to seat 10,000 people or more even temporary for a few weeks.

Don't attach this to the olympics if you can't afford to maintain the existing tiny pools.

Looks at the cost of our latest hospital in Harwich £12.8 million rounded up to £39million over the life of the building 25 years. Need me to work out how much that is per year?

EssexGurl

What a great way to encourage kids to get into sports. Close down their local pools so that those who may actually have some talent have to travel miles and miles just to get a swim.

That'll be great for the olympics.

I cannot imagine why our county councillor thinks that this would be a good idea for the area.

amenity

Did you see the news about Stanstead Airport tonight? For the first time Global Warming was taken into account. A landmark.
Could apply to such things as swimming pools too.

EssexGurl

I somehow doubt it will

amenity

So it is all down to us to make it a success!

No doubt our little pools will have to be sacrificed?

Essex: Olympic effort warning
By Iris Clapp
Comment

Essex will only see benefit from the 2012 Olympics if it is prepared to work for it.

Speaking at a conference to unveil the county's action plan to "maximise" the Games, Stephen Castle - who worked alongside Lord Coe to bring the Olympics to the UK - stressed the knock-on effect from the London Olympics could be felt across all walks of life.

Mr Castle, Essex County Council cabinet member for education and sport, said: "It is projected the economic benefits to the county could be as high as £139 million while the impact to the region is expected to be £600 million - but only if action is taken to attract the tourism, win the construction contracts and fund the skills courses."

EssexGurl

So we have to work hard to lose our local pools.

Yeah count me out of that thanks.

I think it would be great to have training camps or things in the county or region that are brought about because of the olympics, but we shouldnt have to suffer because of it.

ferret

I think the letter in the Standard this week said it all "Pool is a Potty Idea"
The labour party sure does not believe in small communities and although the Conservatives talk about localism they still supported the Bathside Bay developement which is more about Globalism.
No one it seems really represents or listens to us but just bows down to big business. I am not surprised that so many people do not vote.