Hadleigh pool cannot be saved
HADLEIGH swimming pool cannot be saved.That's the blunt assessment today from surveyors who have tested the structure of the pool's water tank - and believe nothing can be done to extend its life.
HADLEIGH swimming pool cannot be saved.
That's the blunt assessment today from surveyors who have tested the structure of the pool's water tank - and believe nothing can be done to extend its life.
Engineering experts Scott, White & Hookins have concluded that the structure of the Hadleigh pool tank is in such a bad shape that they would not recommend Babergh spending any significant money on it.
The council is now set to tell a meeting of the pool's steering group, which is due to meet tomorrow, that it is not prepared to put any more money into the building.
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Instead it will propose to start looking at the possibility of building a new community and leisure centre on land next to the pool.
Council leader Nick Ridley said: “This is very painful and sad news for everyone who has striven for so long to secure the future of swimming in the town.
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“In spite of this setback, we hope that the people of Hadleigh can see that there are still opportunities for a significant investment in leisure and community services in the town.”
In September the district ruled out building a new swimming pool for Hadleigh as the costs spiralled past the £3.25million mark.
The existing pool was opened in 1971 after a major fund-raising initiative in the area - and its proposed closure has led to fury among many residents who helped raise the money to build it in the first place.
A Babergh spokesman said today that the Hadleigh pool remained open, and would continue to operate for the foreseeable future.
He said: “What this report says quite clearly is that if there is a catastrophic failure in the tank then it will not be worthwhile to attempt to repair it.
“In that case we would look at replacing it with another community/leisure facility - but not including a pool.”
If the Hadleigh pool closes it would mean people from the town would have to use pools in Ipswich, Colchester, Sudbury, or Stowmarket - all of which are about 12 miles away.
