£2.4m modernised Hadleigh pool opens
Pictured, left to right, at the opening of the new pool at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, are Jonathan Harvey, Hadleigh Pool and Leisure centre manager Abbeycroft Leisure; Steve Rose, managing director at Rose Builders; Tim Mutum, Abbeycroft Leisure Trustee; councillor Frank Minns, Hadleigh Mayor; councillor Adrian Osborne, chairman Babergh District Council; councillor Jan Osborne; Cassandra Clements, assistant director for environment and commercial partnerships at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils; councillor John Ward, leader Babergh District Council; and councillor Derek Davis, cabinet member for communities Babergh District Council. Photos: Simon Lee Photography and Babergh District Council.
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:
A new pool with five 25 metre lanes of Sport England competition standard
Sauna;
Spectator seating;
Improved disabled access 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; and
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.
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 and 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.