A new swimming pool in Hadleigh has reached its final milestone this week, after it was officially opened following final finishing touches to the building.
The modernised swimming pool at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure has now been officially opened by councillors, Abbeycroft Leisure representatives and partners.
It’s part of a £2.4m investment by Babergh District Council, and its partner Abbeycroft Leisure, to modernise swimming facilities at the council-owned centre. The project has also been supported with £200k provided by Hadleigh Town Council, and a Sports England grant of £150k.
Built by local firm Rose Builders, the new facilities include;
- brand new pool with five 25 metre lanes of Sport England competition standard
- sauna
- spectator seating
- improved disabled access to the pool via easy access steps and handrail, and pool pod lift
- Changing Places toilet and shower facility
- exterior sunshade and artwork designed by community groups and local artist Jo Chapman
- access through to the existing changing facilities, refurbished in 2010
- as well as a new plant room, and storage for swimming club and pool equipment
The upgrades now compliment the other modern spaces at the centre including the gym, and community and social rooms.
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Hadleigh, Hadleigh High School, and the Hadleigh Dementia Alliance group also helped inspire the pool’s unique sunshade – designed by local artist Jo Chapman. A selection of the groups’ artwork can be found on permanent display at the centre which explore themes such as the importance of wellbeing and exercise, the pool environment, local landscape and more.
Cllr Derek Davis, cabinet member for communities at Babergh District Council, said:
“It’s very exciting to have now reached the final milestone of this community project in Hadleigh. There’s always something special about seeing customers enjoying new facilities and having a splash after months of hard work by everyone involved.
“The pool and our other new facilities in Sudbury, will play a huge part in supporting our residents’ health, fitness and wellbeing for generations to come – and form a key step towards achieving the aims set out in our Leisure, Sport & Physical Activity Strategy.
“We look forward to working with our partners on more exciting projects as part of our Invest in Hadleigh programme over the coming years.”
Tracey Loynds, development director at Abbeycroft Leisure, said:
“The new pool at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure is fantastic and a real testament to partnership working – we’re thrilled our customers have been able to enjoy these new facilities.
“This was obviously a huge project for us and for the people of Hadleigh, which we hope will support the community to get more active.
“Government restrictions of course still remain in place for the time being so please remember to book your visit on our website before heading over to try out the pool.”
The pool has been open since the Spring to avoid unnecessary disruption for members while finishing touches were put in place. This followed the easing of lockdown back in April and £182k funding from the Government’s National Leisure Recovery Fund to support the Covid-recovery of the council’s two leisure centres.
Final steps to re-landscape the former pool area into park land, to ensure the build results in no net loss of open space, are expected to be completed by the Autumn.