Ashton Pool - plans for refurbishment

In July 2008, Central Government announced its intention to launch a National Free Swimming programme. As a part of this programme, Central Government made available £25m capital per annum in 2009/10 and 2010/11 to modernise swimming pool provision.

Local Authorities that signed up to participate in free swimming for young people aged up to 16 and people aged 60+ were eligible to bid for capital investment to modernise and enhance their swimming pool facilities.

Wigan Council in partnership with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust has provided free swimming for children and young people aged 0-16 since 1 April 2005 and has provided free swimming for people aged 60+ since 1 April 2006.

Accordingly, Wigan Council is eligible to apply for capital funding to modernise and enhance their swimming pool facilities and in October 2008, the Cabinet agreed to submit bids to the Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Programme for the following three pools:

1. Tyldesley Pool
2. Ashton Leisure Centre
3. Hindley Pool

Officers of the Trust are now working on an application for increased funding which has to be submitted to Sport England by 2 March 2009. If the stage 2 application for Ashton Leisure Centre is successful, it will result in £600,000 of investment in the swimming pool, the pool changing rooms and foyer of the leisure centre. This investment will likely be spent between December 2009 and March 2010 and will involve a period of closure for the pool.

The current proposals for the modernisation and enhancements to the pool and ancillary facilities at Ashton Leisure Centre are as followed:

• Full refurbishment and modernisation of the entrance area including improved reception, vending facilities, small pool viewing, link corridor decoration, ceilings, lighting and floor coverings.

• Full refurbishment and modernisation of the existing changing rooms into a modern changing village comprising cubicle change for single users, families and ambulant, dedicated group change for schools, male and female toilets, shower, locker and vanity provision and dedicated accessible changing including shower, toilet, changing bed and hoist provision.

• Full refurbishment and modernisation of the small and large pool hall including ceiling, lighting, decoration, wall tiling, graphic panels and floor tiling.

• Improved ventilation to the pool halls and changing rooms including new air handling plant and the cleaning of all associated ductwork.

I will report on future developments on this blog.