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Ripples of excitement as pool nears completion
10:50am Friday 25th July 2008
A NEW £1.4m swimming pool will be completed next month.
The impressive facility, at the Highworth Recreation Centre, is the culmination of the hard work and vision of the town’s people.
The new pool is 25m long and has maximum depth of 3.56m and contains a 1m spring board and a disabled hoist.
It also features a 3m fixed board, which is one of only four of its type in the whole of the South West.
“The opening marks the end of a 40 year journey,” said the chair of the executive committee Phil Baker.
“The residents of Highworth have been asking for a pool with a roof since it was first opened in 1968.
“It makes it even more special that we are opening the pool on our 40th anniversary.
“It’s a real tribute to the people of this town who have raised £100,000 themselves.”
The covered pool has sides, which can be opened in appropriate weather to allow an outdoor feeling with facilities for sun bathing. The pool also has a built-in sound system. There is under-floor heating around the poolside and underwater lighting.
The changing rooms have also been refurbished.
The trustees paid thanks to their backers, including the people of Highworth, Swindon Council, Highworth Town Council, the Thomes Freke and Lady Norton Trust, Biffaaward, Hills, Highworth United Reformed Church and Sport England.
“They have stood by us all these years,” added Phil.
“I have every confidence that the users of the pool will feel that the wait has been well worthwhile. “We are particularly indebted to our project manager, Hugh Soden, and his team who have guided the trustees through this process and to our main contractors Swindon Commercial Services.
“We have already engaged additional qualified staff to ensure that everybody can enjoy their visit to The Rec Pool. “We anticipate that many will also want to avail themselves of our excellent gym facilities so the The Rec is truly at the heart of the community.”
The pool will be the home venue for the Highworth Amateur Swimming Club and the Thamesdown Diving Club. The pool will be offering a wide range of activities covering all ages. This includes swimming lessons, aqua-aerobics, lanes swimming, wild ‘n’ wet sessions, parent and toddler sessions, diving and club swimming.
Those intending to use the new pool should contact the centre to see which of the many deals will best suit their potential usage.
A leaflet of opening times and prices is available free of charge from The Rec. It will be open to the public for the first time at 10am, on Friday, August 22. There will be a formal opening ceremony towards the end of September.
For more information, please call the centre on 01793 762602.
Your Say YourSwindon
Captain Sensible, Near Swindon says...
2:35pm Fri 25 Jul 08
Your sayYourSwindon
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Phil Baker beside the new pool
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Malkym, Highworth on the hill says...
12:26pm Fri 25 Jul 08
I know there have been construction problems -aren't there always! but I cannot be the only resident who is somewhat shocked and disappointed to discover that the original concept and plan that if I understand correctly provided for a fully retractable sliding roof thus creating the open air aspect during fine weather and an enclosed one during inclement periods of weather has not been implemented.
Doubtless the prevarification and delays caused by internal politics, funding issues, permissions and various bodies insisting on certain usage rights in return for financial help, has resulted,again if I understand correctly,in effectively a greenhouse roof on stilts each of which are able to be raised manually to provide an influx of fresh air.
It is to be hoped that this "Heath Robinson method of raising the roof" will allow swimmers to emege from the water on hot, warm, sultry days without giving them the feeling they have stepped straight into a sauna or a tropical rain forest due to the humidity -are there any controls?
Nevertheless I look forward to purchasing my "Swindle" card, and using the facility on the rare occasions it is available to Joe Public and not reserved for the numerous community organisations and groups who have already it seems
commandeered most of the pool time.
Clearly prior consultation to the opening times leaflet will be required rather that just turning up on a whim on a good day when the sun is shining.