The regional pool in Peterborough's city centre still has no replacement
It's as the demolition of the pool has begun
Peterborough residents are sad to see the regional pool go as demolition has started.
Currently there's no replacement for the facility and local swimming clubs are struggling to find a new home.
Peterborough City Swimming Club have been training at several different pools but say it's been challenging.
The city is losing something that's very important
Morgan Stevenson, from Peterborough City Swimming Club, said:
"The regional pool was an excellent facility to host meets."
"It's harder to replicate that elsewhere, and it's harder to attract other clubs to the city."
"Some clubs would stay over and bring lots of supporters, and now that's a real challenge for us."
"The city is losing something that's very important from a competitive swimming side but also for the health and wellbeing of the residents of the city."
"We need to feel that a replacement pool is coming."
We need to feel that a replacement pool is coming
The Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre was closed in September 2023 following works to remove asbestos and then the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
The decision was made to permanently close the centre by the council's cabinet in March 2024 due to costs to repair the building not representing best value for the authority.
Peterborough City Council said plans for a new leisure centre continue to be explored and they are working to bring a business case forward to Cabinet soon.