St Albans City and District Council’s Cabinet has reaffirmed its decision to proceed with the existing plans for the re-development of the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre.
At a meeting on 10 August 2010, it confirmed its approval of the facility mix for the scheme which will provide a total of 647m² of water space and an overall capacity for 223 swimmers. This means a 30.5% increase in water space and a 35% increase on the current capacity for 165 swimmers.
The proposed swimming pool provision is made up of:
· 25m x 17m eight lane main pool (425m²) with a 50% movable floor
· 17m x 10m training/learner pool (170m²) with a 100% movable floor
· confidence water area for toddlers (52m²).
The facility mix for the new leisure centre which was originally approved by Cabinet on 6 October 2009, also includes a four court sports hall, climbing wall, youth gym, spa, 200 station fitness gym, exercise studios, poolside health suite, crèche, children’s soft play area and a café/bistro.
The meeting on 10 August was called following a recommendation by the Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee on 19 July to Cabinet that the designs for the main pool should include a further two lanes. In coming to its decision, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered arguments from the Pool Too Small Group in favour of a larger pool and a presentation in response by the Council’s Project Manager.
At the Cabinet meeting on 10 August, the Pool Too Small Group and the Council’s Project Manager made further presentations. However, having taken these into account, along with the estimated additional capital expenditure, future revenue costs and funding needs entailed with increasing the size of the pool, Cabinet decided that there was no compelling reason to change its previous decision of 6 October 2009 or to delay the project any further. Cabinet noted that the decision of 6 October 2009 was made following extensive public consultation which had shown clear support for its current plans.
However, Cabinet recognised that even with the re-development of the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre there would be a predicted shortfall of water space in the District of 376.48 m² and has asked for the Head of Culture and Community Development and the Project Manager to produce a report in March 2011 setting out ways of providing additional space, including:
a new pool site within the District
opening up existing pool facilities further for community use, for example schools
the funding of these proposals at a minimum capital/revenue cost to the Council.
Cabinet also requested that a draft operational plan be drawn up setting out how demand for the new Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre can be managed once it is opened, as it is anticipated that the pool will be popular.
Cllr Anthony Rowlands, Portfolio Holder for Sport and Leisure at St Albans City and District Council, said: “Cabinet unanimously endorsed the existing Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre scheme which will provide an array of modern sporting and leisure facilities, including a 25m x 17m eight lane main pool, learner pool and confidence water. We listened carefully to the Pool Too Small campaigners but their idea of a 25m long, ten lane pool would fly in the face of all the advice from experts that has been received by the Council. There is, after all, only one such pool currently in development in the rest of the country.
“Equally seriously, changing the plans would have landed residents with a bill of well in excess of a million pounds. Such a move would have also meant lengthy delays and running the risk of missing out on a highly competitive period for the construction industry which could reduce the bill for the Council. It would have been irresponsible to have altered direction in the way the campaign wanted. Now we must move ahead with a project which has strong public support and will deliver a vitally needed flag-ship leisure centre for the City and District.”