Caerphilly Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle has today called on the council leader to order a last minute review of its plans for a new swimming complex in the town.
Lindsay Whittle has written to the new Labour leader of Caerphilly Council, Jamie Pritchard asking for an urgent rethink of the proposals for the £38m Caerphilly Leisure and Wellbeing Hub following approaches from the swimming community.
Lindsay Whittle said: “Caerphilly council is in danger of delivering facilities that are not up to standard. A 1.1 metre deep pool will NOT meet the needs of thousands of residents who rely on appropriate water-based facilities.
“I’ve been told that delivering a pool that is not fit for purpose could cost the council around £250,000 a year because of a reduced Learn 2 Swim programme, club relocations and a dropped use among members of the public. If £38m is being spent, the council needs to ensure it gets it right.
“I’ve previously raised my concerns with the former council leader about the facility that is being delivered and the opportunity, for instance, to discover the new Tom Daley here in Caerphilly will be lost unless plans are changed.”
Lindsay Whittle said that he had been told that a shallow pool of the kind proposed was unsuitable for competitive swim training, diving entries, water polo, artistic swimming, and even many standard teaching practices. “Children will be unable to complete key swim awards and badges due to insufficient depth for safe and effective skill progression.”
In an email to Jamie Pritchard, Lindsay Whittle said: “I would seriously request that as leader you look at the issue of the depth of the new swimming pool at the new hub.
“It is the last opportunity to get this correct. I notice that the main fabric outline of the structure is now in situ. If this pool is to stay at its present depth, then it’s clear that the council will actually lose money. The income loss from the clubs will never be recovered.
“This surely defeats the object of this new hub. We need to be encouraging more people to get fit and certainly more children to learn to swim.
“If you miss this opportunity then it will be gone for at least 50 years. This is not a legacy we need to leave behind for our future generation,” added Lindsay Whittle.