saveladywellpool.com

In an answer to Cllr Bodimeade's request of details about the promised new pool at the Sundermead development the Head of the Directorate for Sport and Active Recreation wrote that:

"Prior to consulting, we are assuming a 25m x 6 lane main pool with spectator accommodation and a learner pool (13m x 8.5m)."

a)    How was that assumption formulated?

b)    How many people would be able to swim in that facility over a year?

c)    How many children/learners could be accommodated in the learners pool?

a)    The Amateur Swimming Association and Sport England national guideline for new pools stipulates 25 or 50 metres in length. These are the standard lengths for competition swimming and offer flexibility to facilitate a diverse pool programme in order to meet the needs of its community.

The facility requirements arising from the Development Plan ensure that:

"the swimming clubs in any local authority area have agreed access to 25 metre pools at appropriate times and cost; within every local authority area, there is at least one 25 metre 6lane pool with timing equipment and adequate accommodation for competitors and spectators to stage local galas and events; within every English county and major conurbation there is at least one 25 metre 8lane pool with timing equipment and accommodation for competitors and spectators, capable of staging county galas and league events."

b)    On average we would anticipate 200,000 swims per year.

c)    The learner pool would be more user friendly and more accessible to both disabled people and those groups who may desire their session to be closed off to public view, than the current learner pool. The pool's maximum bather load will need to be established through a risk assessment, but in regard to teaching it is unlikely the new pool would accommodate fewer swimmers than current Ladywell pool. This is because there is a ratio per teacher for children/learners and this would be the same in the new learner pool as it is in Ladywell's learner pool.