Opportunities to have a say on proposed £28m swimming pools and enhanced leisure facilities in Shrewsbury
A public consultation about building two new swimming pools, and enhancing fitness and leisure opportunities at Shrewsbury Sports Village, is being launched by Shropshire Council today (Friday 15 March 2024).
Shrewsbury Sports Village
An eight-week long consultation on the £28m proposals opens online today, and will ask people to share their opinions on developing Shrewsbury Sports Village with:
- A 25-metre x 8-lane pool – suitable for county competitions, galas and general swimming
- 17 x 10 metre studio pool with moveable floor for learners and other water sports, including a children’s water party module
- Seating in pool hall for 250 spectators and space for 250 competitors
- Changing village, plus Changing Places facility for people in need of additional support
- New reception area and lobby, with café overlooking the pool
- New children’s soft play area
- New 130-station fitness suite
- Multi-purpose studio with access to existing kitchen – divisible into two areas for group activities and events
- New dance studio
- New 30-station cycle spin studio
- Refurbishment of the dry changing facilities
- Maintaining all other internal and external facilities on site including: the main sports hall with 8 badminton courts, exercise studio, 16 football pitches and football changing, bowls hall, cycle track and eight netball courts.
It would allow the centre to host galas and regional swimming competitions, while keeping public swim sessions and lessons in a separate studio pool, which would also be available to hire for children’s parties; as well as offering new and improved fitness and leisure facilities.
Public leisure centres are places where communities connect to socialise and have fun and they serve all age ranges and abilities: from parents with babies, through to sports clubs, walking groups and gentle exercise classes.
They play an essential part in supporting health and wellbeing and can help reduce pressure on the NHS and social care services. They have a vital role to play in helping people maintain their physical and mental health, and need to react to changing needs, supporting people with both exercise and less formal physical activities.
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said:-
“We look forward to gathering people’s opinions on our plans to improve and enhance leisure and fitness opportunities at Shrewsbury Sports Village.
“Our intention is to maintain swimming in Shrewsbury. We have been clear that the proposals for Shrewsbury Sports Village have been prioritised to achieve that goal, and we are clear that these proposals stand alone.
“We are very excited to be able to bring these ideas forward, and hope they will be well received by our residents across the county.
“No decision has been made on the future of The Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre. Last year more than £400,000 was invested in the centre, allowing the main Quarry Pool to remain open, and it has been very well received by our customers.
“Before the new Shrewsbury Sports Village pools open, the council will commission a study to look at future options for The Quarry centre. The council has no plans to sell the site or propose alternative uses there.”
People can review the plans here: www.shropshire.gov.uk/shrewsburysportsvillagetransformation or go direct to the consultation here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SportsVillageTransformation
There will also be a number of drop-in sessions:
Thursday 21 March: Shrewsbury Sports Village, 10am to 9pm
Saturday 23 March: Shrewsbury Sports Village, 10am to 6pm
Thursday 4 April: Shrewsbury Sports Village, 10am to 9pm
Saturday 6 April: Shrewsbury Sports Village, 10am to 6pm
Thursday 11 April: Lantern Library, Harlescott, midday to 5pm
Saturday 13 April: Lantern Library, Harlescott, 10am to 1pm
Thursday 18 April: Shropshire Local, The Darwin centre, 2pm to 6pm
Saturday 20 April: Shropshire Local, The Darwin centre, 10am to 6pm
Thursday 25 April: The Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre, 10am to 6pm
Saturday 27 April: The Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre, 10am to 2pm
