Forest Hill’s 120 year old swimming pools were going to close in 1996, but a vociferous public campaign persuaded the Council to keep them open.
After almost ten years of indecision Lewisham Council may take some clear action on the Pools in the near future. If residents are to influence that action, they need to make their views known now.There are two swimming pools in the building and this is a highly attractive feature for users, separating different activities. Retaining two pools has long been an objective for local people. It is apparent that the Pools fail to reach acceptable modern standards; long years of neglect mean that they now require major expenditure on refurbishment or replacement before some catastrophe forces their closure. On 29th July, Aileen Buckton, Executive Director for Community Services, wrote “I have now commissioned Capita consultants to undertake an in-depth feasibility and costing exercise on a range of options …. Each of these have variations around including a learner pool as well”. Things were looking up!
The Council is now undertaking public consultation, ostensibly to determine which of Capita’s options local people and pool users prefer. In Lewisham Life for October/November, under the heading ‘Lewisham Listens’ and a picture of Mayor Steve Bullock, we read “The Council is considering a number of investment options for these pools and is genuinely committed to engaging with the local community and the wider public to reach a decision on the best solution”.
A well attended meeting, chaired by the Mayor, was held at Sydenham School on 5th October. At the meeting, just two options were presented for public consideration although it was apparent that several other options (perhaps as many as 15) had been developed. Was this the ‘genuine commitment to reaching the best solution’ that was promised? Of the two options, only one included two pools – and that option seemed to be being presented as the least preferred. It seems that the options offered were the cheapest of all those considered. A second meeting was held on 25th October which generally followed the pattern of the first meeting.
Option 1 would be a refurbishment of the existing building which, say Capita, could give the building 10 more years of life. It would improve disabled access and provide new filtration plant but, apart from improving the paintwork and tiling, would make few major changes to the building other than removing the gallery. In particular, access to the changing rooms would still be via the side of the pools, with dirt from people’s shoes washing in to the water. The estimated cost of the refurbishment would be £4 million – but barring disasters – we would still have two pools. When asked why refurbishment of a 120 year old building would only last 10 years, doubts were cast as to whether it would even last that long. Major building failure was suggested as a real possibility, although no surveys appear to have been done to suggest that this is an immediate probability.
Option 2 would demolish the existing building and build a single new 25 metre, six-lane pool that would meet all current standards. There would also be a 20-station fitness suite. This would cost £4.7 million but should last 60 years. The building would provide no additional facilities and would lose the meeting rooms that are a feature of the current building.
Despite the superficial attractiveness of option 2, almost everyone who spoke at both meetings appeared to favour a solution based on option 1, i.e., retaining the existing building. This was both for its history and attractive construction, and for the fact that the two pools enabled the separation of lane swimmers from schools and other activity groups. Much doubt was raised about how thoroughly this option had been considered and, in particular, the failure to come up with a solution enabling better access to the changing rooms. This option did not appear to have been costed other than as part of a much larger package of improvements.
If the Mayor was looking for an endorsement of option 2, he certainly didn’t get it – but then he claims to be looking for the feelings of local people to guide him to the most appropriate decision. When challenged on the details of the proposals, it was made clear that the options were only the result of a feasibility study and were by no means final – so there must be scope to influence the final design.
We will be urging the Mayor to look at a more holistic solution for the Pools as part of a consideration of the whole Pools/Louise House/Library site as was proposed in the Forest Hill regeneration study report of 2002. This was the result of extensive public consultation with one option favoured by residents being the physical linking and extensive modernisation of the Pools, Library, and Louise House to provide a community/leisure complex. This clearly would require a partnership with the private sector, perhaps in conjunction with grant applications to a number of bodies, to raise the substantial funding that would be required. Yet apparently nothing has been done, or will be done, to take this forward.
You may not have received a copy of Improving Forest Hill Pools – tell us your views through your letterbox – distribution has been patchy to say the least. However, you can get a copy from the library, the Pools, by telephoning 8314 8496, or from www.lewisham.gov.uk.. In it you will find a few lines which only allow you to vote for one of the Council’s two preferred options – with no opportunity to say ‘Neither’, or to comment. The form needs to be returned by 25th November- you can also complete it on-line.
By not completing the form it might be inferred either that you are not interested in what happens to leisure facilities in Forest Hill, or that you are happy to accept either option. If you do not wish to support either option, we suggest you add a third box saying “Neither of the above”, and add your comments. If possible, please send a copy to our local councillor, Philip Peake at the Town Hall. You can also make your views known to Annette Stead, Head of Sports and Active Recreation, by e-mail or in writing again preferably copying to Councillor Peake–
Contact details
Annette Stead, Head of Sports and Active Recreation,
e-mail: annette.stead@lewisham.gov.uk
Councillor Philip Peake
e-mail: Cllr_Philip.Peake@Lewisham.gov.uk
Lewisham Council
Town Hall Chambers
Catford Road, London SE6 4RU