Council says new pools will bring economic boost to Shrewsbury

Demolishing Shrewsbury’s only public swimming pool and re-building it as a state-of-the-art ‘leisure destination’ could bring a huge economic boost to the town centre, Shropshire Council has said.

The authority has revealed plans to include a bistro, spa and indoor play centre in the designs for the new facility, alongside two swimming pools, a gym and fitness studios.

The proposals would also see a competition pool created out at Sundorne Sports Village, which the council says could become one of the leading facilities in the West Midlands.

The plans have been in development since 2015 and centre on the replacement of the dilapidated Quarry building which has been deemed no longer fit for purpose.

Councillor Lezley Picton, portfolio holder for leisure, said: “The economic impact of both proposed facilities should not be underplayed, especially what the facility in the Quarry could do for the local economy.”

She said the current Quarry pool building has the feel of being hidden away, so as not to “interfere” with the historic park.

“The new facility needs to play a greater role in the leisure and events scene,” said Councillor Picton.

“We talk about the Quarry swimming centre but it’s much more than that. We are looking at including plans to replace the gym provision and studios and looking at the options to encourage more people to get active.”

The possible opening of a new pool in Sundorne also presents the opportunity to revamp the Sports Village which is currently running at a loss.

Transformation project manager Mark Thornewill said an area of land at the sports village had been identified for the new pool. The car park could also be extended to accommodate the anticipated high volume of swimmers and spectators attending the large competitions the pool would aim to host.

Mr Thornewill added: “But also what a pool at the sports village would do is attract a new market, a wider sector of Shrewsbury’s and Shropshire’s population, because of its accessibility.

“The sports village is close to a large population and wouldn’t just be for competitions, it would be for the whole range of swimming activities.”

Mr Thornewill said further opportunities to “enhance the fitness offer” at the sports village by reconfiguring the building would also be explored, but assured users that no current facilities would be lost.

Cabinet members will meet on Monday to discuss a report which recommends progressing with the proposals for two sites and inclusion of a greater leisure offer at the Quarry.

A further feasibility study will then be undertaken and its findings will come back to cabinet next summer for final approval, followed by a full public consultation.

Jane Trethewey, the council’s assistant director of housing and communities, said: “We are determined to drive this forward as a project and the cabinet paper is, I hope, a really important part of that process.

“From our perspective this is a really exciting project to develop leisure facilities which are going to provide swimming facilities in Shrewsbury and Shropshire which are fit for the 21st century.”

Under the proposals, a 25-metre eight-lane competition pool and 17 metre by 10 metre learner pool would be built at the sports village, while the Quarry would have a 25 metre four-lane training pool and a leisure pool.

It is hoped a significant amount of funding for the scheme will come from Sport England and other external grants, while the council may also need to contribute.