Issued: 26 June 2009
New Pool Design Agreed for Montrose
The new swimming pool in Montrose got a step closer last night when Angus Council approved the proposed design and funding package (full council meeting, Thursday 25 June 2009).
The proposals for the £10m development have been the subject of over 12 months of consultation with the local community, user groups and national sports bodies.
Having been given the formal stamp of approval the project will now go out to tender, with a target completion date of 2012.
The council's Neighbourhood Services convener Jim Millar said he was proud that the council was delivering on its ambitious promise:
"Angus Council made the bold decision to go ahead with the replacement of Montrose Swimming Pool despite the public sector being under the severest financial constraints.
"We took the decision because Montrose needs a new pool and we were confident that we could deliver on budget and on time.
"16 months down the line, and after a rigorous consultation exercise, we now have the design that will provide an excellent new facility for local people and an attraction for visitors for years to come."
Councillor Millar said the creation of an integrated sports and swimming facility would improve the service to customers providing a fuller range of leisure facilities on one site. Commenting on the absence of sub-aqua and diving provision at the new venue Councillor Millar said there simply wasn't £1.7m available to create deep water facilities, nor could any extra cash be justified for 4% of pool usage.
"Angus Council pledged an investment of £10m for a new pool for Montrose and by 2012 people will be able to enjoy that new pool and the excellent sports and leisure facilities at the centre - that's a good result for customers and the long term savings that the shared facility will bring is good news for the council tax payers of Angus."
The new swimming pool will be adjoined to the existing Montrose Sports Centre, next to Montrose Academy in Marine Avenue and will be dual use; catering for the school and community during the day in term time, and community use in the evenings and at weekends. The integrated building will have a new single entrance and reception area.
The main six lane pool will be 25m long, going from 1.2m to 2m deep. Adjacent to that will be a viewing gallery and a 7m x 3m studio pool with a moving floor to allow the pool depth to vary from 0m to 2m. The pools will accommodate swimming tuition at all levels, competitive swimming and training, water polo and play activities for different age groups.
The new facility will also have a health suite with a sauna, steam room and relaxation area. The first floor fitness suite will have up to 50 workout stations incorporating a range of cardiovascular, strength and free weights. The overall facility will have two multi purpose rooms adjacent to each other, each able to accommodate classes of up to 50 people, which can also open up to create a larger single space. A further multi purpose room is being created for use as required for classes, a crèche, meeting room or a training/teaching area.