Building is useful and well used

In the Peterborough Telegraph (September 3) I read the articles entitled ‘Plans to demolish Regional Pool site’ and ‘New site to replace city’s Regional Pool’.

Already unhappy with the overall intentions for our parks and river embankment I read on.

The intention is to demolishtheRegionalPoolandbuild anewfacility at the Fair Meadow Car Park on the corner of Oundle Road.

They report that the current building will reach the endofitsoperationallifewithin five to 10 years.

The Regional Pool was designed by Scott, Brownrigg andTurnerin1974andisafine example of a brick clad reinforced concrete building with roundedcolumnfeatures and twoartistic exposedaggregate finished escape towers.

Thepoolwasbuiltupwards rather than into the ground.

Atmyfinalsummerseason at the Lido in 1973 the proposals were discussed with us attendants and the intention was to build a pool to non-Olympicdimensionalstandards so that it could be used by the peopleofPeterboroughrather than hold competitions.

The Peterborough Swimming Club used to appear on Friday evenings and the pool would be closed to the public to allow them to train and practice their sport.

In my opinion as an exsurveyor who has carried out many condition surveys, my general informal observations are that the building is in structurally good and the external brickwork is in reasonable condition.

Therearofthebuildinghas beenneglectedandthereisextensive ivy growth.

Aswithallflatroofedbuildings there is evidence of water staining on the upper ceiling soffits which could be due to minor water ingress or condensation. I have no knowledge of the mechanical or electrical installations.

In 1976 I moved into Bish

ops Road and I would open my front door and observe over the road the landscaped earth mounding with shrubs and small trees on top running the whole length of the buildingwhichrosediscreetly behind.

For the first year I could even see the spire of Stanground Church in the background.

Time passed and the trees grewandthepoolis nowcompletely hidden from view as I am sure the designers of the scheme intended.

I have used the gym of the Regional Pool for the past eight years to keep my aging body moving rather than develop a sculptured body and haveobservedthepeoplewho use it and what it is used for.

Examples are: Busloads of school children arrive for swimming lessons, ladies enjoying aqua aerobics, older people using the gym and the pool, rehabilitation sessions, special classes covering many physical disciplines, gym enthusiasts, baby/leaners pool, steam room, diving and general swimming or lane work.

If the council intend to demolish this building it is becausetheywanttonotbecause this very useful and well used facility is at theendofitslife or we lack future capacity.

Consider the green i ssues, this building is already there and needs some updating involving a minor environmental effect, the impact of demolition and disposing of the resultant debris and the resources and energy required to build the new intended centre.

For growing Peterborough there is the new fitness centre at Hampton which provides more modern example. Theproposalsalso involve the complete loss of a diving area.

What are the council’s intentions for this new demolition site? Arewetohaveanew green space and will Bishops Road recreation ground be saved from becoming a car park for a non-existent Regional Pool?

Is it still an intention to build a ‘Student Union complex with accommodation, restaurants and a night club and bars’?

Will the earth mound and trees remain to protect us from any resultant folly?

Possibly this land will be used for access to the super large football stadiumintended for the river embankment.

It is veryimportantthatthe council provide us with a detailed planoftheproposalsfor the embankment.

The recent ‘Notification of planning application’ only covers theformerWirrinacar Park and it would be very useful to see the master plan for

the whole area.

Andy Coles Peterborough