Peterborough's New Leisure Centre Moves Closer But Is It The Right One For The City? |
Planning has now been submitted for Peterborough's new leisure development. Here's what's included, why it's needed and the questions residents are still asking. |
For many people, Peterborough's old Regional Pool wasn't just somewhere to swim.
It was where children learned water confidence, clubs trained, families spent weekends together and thousands of residents kept active.
Now the city's replacement has moved another step closer.
Peterborough City Council has submitted its planning application for a new leisure development beside the Embankment.
If approved, it will include an eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool, a 20-metre learner and activity pool with a movable floor, a large fitness suite, studios, café, family play area, health and wellbeing rooms and community spaces.
The council hopes construction will begin in 2027, with the facility opening in 2028.
The council says the project is needed because Peterborough's existing public swimming provision is already operating at capacity and isn't expected to cope with future population growth.
It also follows the closure of the former Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre after structural problems made refurbishment uneconomic.
The plans have clear strengths. A modern building should be cheaper to run, more accessible and offer facilities the old centre couldn't.
Families, schools, swimming clubs and fitness users would all benefit from having a purpose-built venue designed around current needs.
But planning approval doesn't end the discussion.
Residents will still want answers about parking, traffic, public transport, affordability, membership prices and whether the new pool will provide enough capacity for a growing city.
Others continue to ask whether Peterborough should have replaced the former Regional Pool with a larger or even 50-metre competition-standard facility.
Those are reasonable questions.
A leisure centre is expected to serve the city for decades, so getting the design right matters just as much as getting it built.
For now, the biggest milestone is that the project has moved from drawings towards the planning process.
The debate is no longer whether Peterborough needs a new pool it's whether this proposal delivers the right balance of facilities, accessibility and value for the future.
If you could add one feature before construction begins, what would it be? |
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You have the opportunity to build a new pool to national/international standards (50m), but no... You have a swimming club that for years has punched above its weight, bringing top competition to Peterborough, with all the associated benefits to the wider business community. When Swim England measured the old regional pool and decided that the rhomboid shape of the competition lanes were not acceptable and downgraded the level of allowable competition you did nothing! Now you have an opportunity again - just think of all the benefits of top class competition taking place in Peterborough… As a father of a CoPS swimmer who trained hard and competed at the British National Championships, twice (silver and bronze medals), we travelled the UK for competition, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and spending money in the local shops etc. etc…. It would have been brilliant to have top class competitive, competition in Peterborough… But, no - too shy to think of the possibilities!
This is a lesser Facility than the Regional Pool that was pulled down . No Diving Boards , when looking at the Olympic Games , Diving is a very popular Olympic Sport and as a City it should therefore be a given , similarly we should be having an Olympic size Pool. The City is continuing to grow , and noticed that PCC are still continuing with the huge Project regarding a New Railway Station , which in that case confirms that we should therefore we should have an Olympic Pool . It should also be built on the Original Site of the Regional Pool , to make it accessible to all ages and those with access issues ! Noted that the Regional Pool was stated as being expensive to run . Maybe if PCC occasionaly spent some money on Maintenance issues on a regular basis as opposed to ignoring the wear and tear issues until the PARTS reach the point of more expense with issues of longer delays for replacements . I am aware of parts that were not ordered by PCC !! We are being let down by PCC again. The Regional Pool lasted 50yrs and i would therefore assume PCC would expect the same . What sense does it make to replicate the same ? Considering we are supposedly paying for it why does PCC get to make the decision ? The 2 extra Lanes will be for Cops , Why no Diving pool as we also had at the Lido , which was greatly used , including Deep water Aqua ! This is not satisfactory on any level . Of thoses who designed and took part in drawing up the Plans , who goes to the Pools in the past or has any interest therefore .We ate not 6yrs old and this City knows what it wants and needs . Lets hope snr Managers are rotored in to manage the activity in the Evenings , as experience has been warned to PCC that whatever the activities in the Pool often need to be managed properly and safely . Parking for Blue Badge spaces will need to also be supervised and not become the problem of the users , this includes Cops Parking also . This will not become users problems as you are all aware of past , constant problems . You will be made aware every time it happens . So PCC you have a lot to do to meet the needs of this City , our Needs , not yours !
* Dedicated 1st Aid Room on Ground floor . * Decent Staff Rooms with Fridge / sink . Lockers ,changing + W/C * More Fire Exits .. More Disabled Toilets 🚻 Better Fresh Air Windows , especially in Changing rooms. Otherwise lacking of Oxygen.. + Stuffy. Don't rely on pipes. Look at successful Good centres and Bad ones which have had to be demolished.. Like Barnet Copthall + Littlehampton Centre s both 👎 BAD designs. I know because I used to work both these ..between 1981 - 2000 ( inc.Poolside Manor , London N3 ) Larger entrance Hall please , Spaces for WheelChairs + Buggies * No cafe tables by front Doors !! Unhygienic * will Cafe provide Healthy Nutrition? Or pre packaged Vending Snacks ? Maybe spaces for PopUp stores ? Costumes Towels , Goggles etc. Spa / Treatment rooms? Proper Cleaning store cupboards for brushes + buckets 🪣 Try make Energy Efficient with Solar Power Panels + Batteries. Make ALL 💧 water pipes + drains easy access for maintenance + Cleaning * Air Ventilation * email # grantarowland.1960@gmail.com * 🏊♂️ Teacher 1985 RLSS Lifeguard Pool Plant Operator ITEC Bodywork