New swimming pool in Shrewsbury is vital, say Shropshire Swimming Association

Jean Childs, chair of Shropshire Swimming Association's executive committee, says the county is currently without a competitive swimming venue.

That means the county championships actually take place outside of Shropshire in Wolverhampton.

But Shrewsbury Amateur Swimming Club, which has more than 300 members and trains daily at the current Quarry pool, is opposed to any move to a new pool which it says would almost certainly lead to a cut in its pool time.

Shropshire Council is currently consulting on options for a new swimming pool for Shrewsbury, which could see the existing Quarry pool renovated, a new pool created at the Quarry, or on another site altogether, including at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

The Quarry is not suitable for competitive swimming although a new facility would be.

Mrs Childs said the Quarry is "totally out of date" and called for a new venue.

She said: "At the moment we have nothing, we have to go to Wolverhampton Central Baths to do our county championships, or for other big events we want to put on. That is under threat of closure and if it closes then we will be stuck.

"The idea of a 50 metre pool is pie in the sky. For us if we can get a good eight lane 25 metre pool with enough seating where we can hold events then that will be fantastic.

"It is very important to have a number of venues for competitive swimming elements because we are so short of them in the West Midlands as a whole."

Mrs Childs also voiced concerns over access to the current pool. She said: "We need to look at somewhere where there is parking. How many people walk to the swimming pool? Most people drive and when you have young children you do not want to be using a park and ride.

"But we do appreciate, and our governing body appreciates, that we need to appreciate the needs of everyone. I think we can come up with a happy medium which suits everyone."

Mike Hedges, chairman of Shrewsbury Swimming Club, said they would like to see the Quarry, which has four pools, renovated.

He said: "We are delighted with the Quarry. As a swimming club we feel blessed. We have three great swimming pools in one place. We are the only club in Shropshire that has as much pool time as we want.

"When we set up the forum of Shropshire swimming clubs the biggest problem other clubs have is pool time. Should they get rid of the Quarry and build a new site then I suspect we would be in the same situation they are in because any new site would have less pool time than we have at the Quarry.

"As the biggest and most successful club in Shropshire that is a real worry for us."

Mr Hedges said he understands the dilemma but hoped the council would opt to refurbish the Quarry.

He said: "How do we balance the macro of Shropshire versus the micro of Shrewsbury. Shropshire does not have a pool you can have competitive swimming in so we have to hold the county champions ships in Wolverhampton which is ridiculous.

"In an ideal world renovating the Quarry would be fantastic but we are all realistic and not sure that will happen."

Alison McKittrick of the Quarry Forum has also called for the existing site to be renovated.

She said: "Only the refurbishment or renovation of the Quarry pool will provide the same amount of pool space, diving boards and a flume. The other options significantly reduce the water and have no fun features."