Expansion plan just splashing
POOL PLANNING A NEW SAUNA AND CAFE
JUST two months after reopening, plans for a new sauna and cafe at Elswick Pool have been revealed.
The pool, which reopened in September following a closure of four years, will also be open to the public longer as its opening hours are set to be extended.
In October 2015, Newcastle City Council closed Elswick Pool due to budget cuts, which sparked major protests from residents.
The council said it could open again if a financially-viable business plan was put in place for the community to run it.
In February, the plans took a huge step forward as the council handed over the lease to Elswick Community Pool and Leisure Centre.
Now running as a charity, the pool is continuing to improve its facilities and has, due to the public demand, extended its opening hours.
The pool will now open from 7am until 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am until 3pm on weekends and the centre is delighted with the residents’ reaction.
Diane Tait, vice-chairman of Elswick Pool, said: “The reaction from the community has been absolutely fabulous. Since opening, we have been full every day and we now have 14 schools enrolled for swimming.”
The local area has shown true community spirit as several local suppliers have helped with donations such as paint from Crown and Dulux and carpets from Franks Carpets, while Logobear has provided temporary uniforms.
Jesmond Pool has been amazing in helping the pool to reopen, while Centre West has provided financial and practical support.
Many residents have volunteered to help paint, clean and provide general maintenance to their local pool.
The charity now relies on donations to continue to stay open and is fundraising through collection boxes to cover the cost of the new sauna.
The pool has a range of swimming lessons for children and adults of all abilities and teaches pupils from local 14 schools.
On Friday, the pool remains open until 9pm for ladies’ swimming sessions, which have so far proven to be very popular.
Ruckshana Ahmed, 27, from the West End of Newcastle, has fond memories of attending Elswick Pool.
She said: “The best thing about
Elswick pool for me was the ladiesonly sessions. They were packed every session with women and children from the Asian community.
“It was somewhere these women, such as my mum, could get away for an hour or so.
“There was nothing for them to do once it closed down but now it has reopened I cannot wait to go back with my mum and siblings and relive my childhood memories.”
Not only does the charity teach swimming lessons, it has provided 18 new employment opportunities for local people.