Hackney Council have commissioned a feasibility study into the future options for Haggerston Pool.  This has reported in draft, and the final report is due at the end of January, with the options going to the Council's cabinet for discussion in February.

 

The 3 options which have been identified ALL include the renovation and re-opening of the swimming pool.  

 

The major difference between the options at this stage is in the mix of facilities alongside the pool.  Each of the options include a mix of health and social spaces for organisations with a community focus, alongside a dentist surgery and sports facilities.  2 of the options have a hydro-therapy pool replacing the existing baby pool.  

 

The most controversial element is the rebuilding of one corner of the pool building to provide the main income to fund the running of the pool.  In one option this corner holds a doctor's surgery, and in the other 2 options there are up to 20 flats.  The idea is that these would be for rent (to provide a continued income).

 

As members of the Council's reference group for Haggerston Pool we have been shown outline drawings of the potential options, but we have no documentation, and no information about the figures at present.

 

 

CONSULTATION EXERCISE - FIRST CHOICE FOOD, SECOND CHOICE SWIM

As part of the feasibility study, a consultation about the mix of facilities needed at Haggerston Pool  was carried out  partly by interview and partly by sending out consultation forms to organisations in Haggerston, Hackney and beyond.   The outcome of consultation forms was that the first priority was a community cafe (82%) and the second to retain the existing pool (70.5%).

 

However when individuals with an interest in the pool were asked (just the people who came along to the Open House event in September), the number prioritising the retention of the pool rose to 91%.   More details of the consultation exercise in the attached report (second attachment)

 

To continue the consultation with individuals pool campaigners have organised the People's Consultation.

 

 

STRUCTURAL SURVEY SHOWS HAGGERSTON POOL ESSENTIALLY SOUND

A few more details of the structural survey in the attached report (second attachment).

 

 

LONDON FIELDS LIDO 

We understand that work is on target for London Fields Lido to re-open in June 2006. 

 

 

CBBC NEWSROUND "WHAT'S YOUR POOL LIKE?"

The BBC's children's website says "Many kids aren't learning to swim because too many pools are closing down......  We want to know what your local swimming pool is like.  Is it big or small? Old or new? Do a lot of people go?  Do you not know how to swim because there is no swimming pool near you? Maybe you don't have a local pool and have to travel miles to get to your nearest one? E-mail and let us know.  You can also send us a text - Text NR and your message to 62222".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4590000/newsid_4598900/4598906.stm  for lots of good comments from children.

 

 

CLISSOLD SWIMMING CLUB

Hackney's children's swim club, orginated at Haggerston, then moved to Clissold, and now continues to thrive and even win competitions, despite having a training schedule across 5 pools - Highbury Grove (school pool in Islington), Ironmonger Row, Golden Lane, King's Hall and Cally Pool near King's Cross.  More information about the club from Greg McNeill 07789 005652.

 

 

CLISSOLD LEISURE CENTRE

Clissold Leisure Centre has now been closed for more that 2 years, longer than the time it was open.  No date is given for its re-opening - just 2006.  More information www.clissoldleisure.com and http://www.hackney.gov.uk/index.htm/c-sports-facilities/cs-clissold-leisure-centre.htm

 

 

IRONMONGER ROW BATHS FEATURE ON ITV

Ironmonger Row Baths feature in an ITV documentary about lost London on 31st January at 7pm.

 

 

PRESS PICKS UP ON POOL CLOSURES

The beginning of the year saw many articles in national press about pool closures from all over the country.  Here's an example from the Telegraph of 3rd January.

 

"Public swimming pools are being closed at an alarming rate by local authorities desperate to save money, campaigners warned yesterday.  Duncan Goodhew, the former Olympic champion, said he had been contacted by an average of three groups of residents a month trying to save their local pool. Campaigners have complained that there is no central register of pool closures and no national strategy to prevent them. 

 "About 12 million people in Britain swim regularly and under the National Curriculum all children should be able to swim 25 metres by the age of 11.The Amateur Swimming Association has called on the Government to insist that local authorities make long-term strategies to replace pools that are being closed.David Sparkes, chief executive of the ASA, said: "The decisions to close pools are being taken for economic reasons rather than in a more strategic way".   Continues here

Other items: BBC News , Guardian and all documented on the London Pools Campaign website www.londonpoolscampaign.com