Waterfield leisure pools Modernisation

THIS IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A LICK OF PAINT!

Melton Borough Council is pleased to announce plans for a modern swimming and indoor sports centre.  This project will transform Waterfield Leisure Pool, which costs taxpayers over £250,000 each year, into a high-quality, environmentally friendly, swimming and indoor sports centre.

It’s really important that residents are aware that this project is much more than a refurbishment.

Like you, we feel very strongly that Melton deserves high quality swimming and indoor sports facilities. We are also clear that we need to do something now before Waterfield costs us even more money or has to be closed on health and safety grounds.

• This project is about completely transforming the current facilities to include the following:
• A fully modernised swimming pool area – including a main pool and separate learner pool for children.
• Wide range of family swimming facilities.
• Modern, spacious and clean changing rooms with dedicated family and disabled changing areas
• Fitness gym – with modern gym equipment
• Sprung floor exercise area for activities such as aerobics, circuit training, dance classes, children’s parties and activities such as tumble tots.

Melton Borough Council has also revealed that Everyone Active (SLM) have been appointed to manage the swimming and leisure facilities.  SLM have vast experience of running and managing leisure facilities throughout the country.

The following images show how different a newly modernised Waterfield could look:

Waterfield Changing Rooms modernisation.

Waterfield Studio modernisation.

Waterfield Gym modernisation

Waterfield Changing Rooms modernisation

Waterfield Studio modernisation.

Waterfield Gym modernisation

Frequently asked questions

Will Waterfield Leisure pool close during the modernisation?

We hope to keep most of the building open throughout the works.  The work that we will be carrying out is substantial, and in some cases involves completely gutting certain areas and installing brand new décor and equipment.  We will make sure that all work is carried out in a safe manner with as little disruption to swimmers as possible.

Why don’t you demolish Waterfield Leisure Pool and build a new facility elsewhere in the town?

You have to remember that building a new sports centre and swimming pool does not happen overnight.  It is extremely expensive and can take between 7 - 10 years from the initial idea through to opening the doors to the local community. Will Waterfield last for the next 5 years? Probably not.  We do not want to leave Melton without swimming facilities as we recognise that they are a very important part of the local community.

It’s also important that we achieve the best value-for money for our taxpayers.  You will be aware of the recent announcement that sports facilities at the former King Edward VII school are to be opened up to the public – this will provide a sports hall, fitness centre, hard and soft play areas and pitches for clubs offering rugby, hockey, football and tennis.

Why can’t the council spend the money they have received from the sale of the council offices site on a new leisure centre?

Speaking in July, Councillor David Wright explained: “At the moment we have no capital receipt. There are several organisations and pressure groups lobbying the Council on how to spend a capital receipt that we may receive from the sale of part of our Nottingham Road site. There could be a lot of projects that people would like funded from any money we receive but this must be managed carefully for the long term benefit of the whole Borough and we can only spend that money once. ”

Why can’t you keep the leisure pool as part of the leisure facilities?

Something has to give.  The new modernised Waterfield will include two swimming pools – a 25m main pool and a 12m teaching pool.  Amateur Swimming Association who are the national governing body for swimming.  It is their view, and they are the experts, that a 12m teaching pool is perfectly adequate for teaching children to swim.  The current leisure pool has around 21,000 visits per year.  A better use of this space as part of a modernised facility is expected to contribute to an additional 100,000 visits per year.

Why does Melton need another gym?

The facilities that we are including in the modernisation programme are designed to ensure that Waterfield is the hub of community activity in Melton.  There will be lots of classes taking place in the facilities, including if possible, many that will not be offered elsewhere in town.  The sprung floor areas will provide superb facilities for a wide range of local groups.

Does the Waterfield modernisation mean that the council are ruling out developing a new swimming pool and sports centre in the future?

Not at all. The current project is about making sure we retain high quality swimming facilities in Melton.  There may be a point in the future when a decision is taken to progress a purpose built facility – and that is not currently ruled in or out.  The one thing we do know is that Waterfield is not going to last forever, it’s in a poor condition and we need to do something now.  We’re confident that the cost of any modernisation will be recouped by revenue in the coming years.