£10m NEEDED TO SPLASH OUT ON TOWN POOLS

MORE than £10 million needs to be splashed out on upgrading swimming pools to keep in lane with increasing demand across Nuneaton and Bedworth.

A review of all sporting facilities across the borough has revealed that the Pingles Leisure Centre in Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Centre are both operating at 100 per cent capacity, resulting in a desperate need for more swimming space.

Swimming is, according to the review, the most popular activity in the borough and there is not enough space for swimmers to cope with the demand.

To make waves to tackle the problem, the review found that more than £10m would have to be spent on increasing the amount of lanes available at both swimming pools.

What work is needed? According to Sports England data, there needs to be an additional new four-lane, 25m, pool with moveable floor at the Pingles, which would come at a cost of £3,845,000.

There are two options to solve the issue in Bedworth .

The first is to replace the current six-lane pool at the leisure centre with an eight-lane pool as well as replacing the fitness and dance studio facilities, with a price tag of £8,400,000.

Or just over £10m could be spent creating a new ‘sporting hub’ at the same location or at Nicholas Chamberlaine Academy site. Clearly the cash-strapped council does not have the funds to pay for any of the proposals, but it is being recommended that the local authority asks for contributions from housing developers when building new homes in the borough. Where the cash could come from In a report to members of the council’s cabinet, it explains: “NBBC (Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council) will be requesting from housing developers, contributions towards a percentage of new homes built from their development sites towards these additional new facilities where evidence can be provided and NBBC meet the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) or Section 106 requirements, including pooling restrictions.

“Upon feasibility studies undertaken for specific projects and business cases explored the financial support required from NBBC for capital and revenue will be presented to members and cabinet for consideration.”

Other new facilities needed Swimming has been classed as a ‘priority,’ but there are other sports which need new facilities in the area too.

The review identified the need for the creation of the borough’s first purpose-built table tennis facilities, at a cost of £710,000, potentially at Ambleside Sports and Social Club in Nuneaton .

There has also been a need identified for more sports hall facilities to serve the north of Nuneaton, which would cost around £10,980,000, or to upgrade the Jubilee Sports Centre, which would cost £4.12m.

It has also been noted that the Pingles Football and Athletics Stadium needs improvements, such as new changing rooms and officials rooms as well as new drainage and grey water systems which would come with a price tag of £490,000.

Feasibility studies would need to take place to see if any of the projects are viable.

Swimming, according to the review, is the most popular activity in the borough ....