Plan for leisure centre to replace swimming pool

Tony Fisher
BBC News, Hertfordshire
FaulknerBrowns A design image of a new swimming pool with several lanes. There are banners flying above the pool and there are windows overlooking the pool from an upstairs gallery.FaulknerBrowns
The new facility would have a 25m pool with 10 lanes

A swimming centre could be demolished and replaced with a new sports and leisure facility.

A planning application has been submitted to Stevenage Borough Council, which owns the swimming centre site on the edge of the town centre.

The plans include a 25m, 10-lane competition swimming pool with seating for 150 spectators, a teaching pool, a splash pad, and sauna and steam rooms.

It would have a six-court sports hall, a fitness suite, multi-purpose studios, a spin studio, soft play and a café.

The proposed building is between three and four storeys high with the main entrance facing the Town Centre Gardens.

There would be 53 parking spaces – a loss of 38 compared with the current provision – including accessible electric vehicle charging spaces.

It is expected to be open from 06:30 to 10:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 20:00 at weekends.

FaulknerBrowns A design image of a swimming pool with windows. There are people in the pool and next to it, and there are trees outside.FaulknerBrowns
A 12m teaching pool forms part of the plans

If approved, the new facility would be built on the existing car park to the south of the swimming centre.

The current facility would remain operational until the new one opened, as first reported by The Comet.

A statement submitted with the planning application says: "The [1960s] building has been subject to incremental refurbishment over the years, but is no longer fit for purpose and is in need of replacement."

Part of the funding would be from the government's Towns Fund, after Stevenage Development Board secured £37.5m towards the town's regeneration in 2021.

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