We have long been critics of the 25metre tank and teaching puddle solution that makes no one happy. The so-called 'swimming pool consultants' are parachuted in the denigrate the aspirations of the local swimming community wherever a new pool is being considered. They provide 'here today gone tomorrow' councillors with ammunition to approve these ridiculous wastes of money (as most councillors will listen to anyone except the local experts). We are being left with centres that serve those who cannot and may never swim and condemn the community to years of squabbling - but with acres of carparking.

Other London examples would be Mile End pool, Clissold Leisure Centre and Willesden Sports Centre. In two cases carparking was maximised and swimming facilities minimised; as for Clissold where do we start.

The local swimming club is mobilising HERE

"A FORMER Olympic medalist has criticised Harrow Council's future leisure centre plans.

The council is planning to build a 25-metre pool at its new leisure centre, in Christchurch Avenue, and will ignore the outdoor Olympic sized pool on the same site which has fallen into disrepair.

Olympic medalist Sharron Davies said: 'It's a shame, I think it is a step backwards.

'We need more 50-metre pools and it is such a waste when ones that are there are not used.'"

(Via Olympian Criticises Short Pool Plans (from Harrow Times): .)

and...

"A TOP coach believes Harrow's new leisure centre will drive swimmers out of Harrow.

Bill Stokes, chief coach at Harrow and Wealdstone Swimming Club, said: "It seems madness to me, with the Olympics so near, instead of building adequate pools they are being shut down. Harrow Council is the worst offender."

The council has announced plans to build a £36m leisure centre in Christchurch Avenue, Harrow.

The plans include a 25-metre pool, which is significantly shorter than the current 33-and-a-half metre pool.

Mr Stokes believes swimmers will leave the club, which is based at the leisure centre, if the council continues with its plans." [READ THEIR RESPONSE HERE]

(Via Swimmers Will Be Driven Out Of Harrow (from Harrow Times): .)

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| London Borough of Harrow | 30 January 2008; 9:55:11 PM |# | | Discuss |

Ah now we get it, the reason why sport and physical activity is so low on the totem pole is that our masters think it is a diversion measure for crims and the rest of us aren't interested. So to get sport funded we have to get banged-up?

Gerry Sutcliffe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Culture, Media & Sport)

"I heartily agree, and I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue. He will know that one of my previous roles was in the Home Office, dealing with young offenders. The busiest place in a young offender institution and, indeed, a prison is the gym, and we must try to channel that activity into sport. I believe that there is a great role for sport to play in helping support offenders and in getting them away from offending."

His colleague Chris Bryant said:

"Paris has more 50 m swimming pools than England and Wales put together. That is partly because it is very expensive for local authorities to build and maintain swimming pools. Will the Government consider building more 50 m pools and making sure that funding comes from central Government, rather than local government?"

(Chris Bryant forgets to mention that he was part of Hackney Council that went on to deny Hackney and London residents a 50m pool when the 25metre, £50million Clissold Leisure Centre was being designed. Ed)

(Via Sport (Girls): 28 Jan 2008: House of Commons debates (TheyWorkForYou.com): .)

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| Parliament, Hansard and Whitehall | 30 January 2008; 1:04:04 AM |# | | Discuss |