Forum Topic

Acton swimming pools closing

I have heard that acton swimming pools are closing in November 2011, not sure whether for refurbishment or demolition. Any way know anything else?

Shao-Ying Ben-Nathan ● 5708d15 Comments

I was there this morning and asked: Jackie on Reception said she understood they would close late 2011 or during 2012, but the staff had been told nothing definite.I had a look on the Council website and was interested to read the Cushman & Wakefield report - those who were on the working group probably know all about it, but it was news to me. If anyone is interested, it can be found on the following page:http://www2.ealing.gov.uk/services/regeneration/town_centre_and_area/acton/town_centre.htmlIt's a Word document, but quite a long read (47pp).Apparently 'the Council has accepted that there will be a period of time where the current amenity (the Baths) will not be available to the public’. I thought I had understood in the initial consultation that the old Baths would keep going until new facilities were ready, but either I misunderstood or they have changed their minds.

Lorna Dodd ● 5707d

I think there was always going to be a lacuna between the old baths closing and the new ones open - the place where the town hall team managed to get no disruption to service was the Priory groups...who will not now be decanted from the Priory and then reassembled sometime later - or so we were promised.Anyone interested could raise it tonight at the ward forum.

Sara Nathan ● 5707d

Any mention of the Pool at the Ward Forum? I emailed them to ask but haven't had a reply as yet.

Lorna Dodd ● 5706d

Yes someI pointed out that if the staff were not clear about what was happening and what the pros and cons were, it was a wasted resource that would not be communicating with the public. The officer looked rather thoughtful at that.The aim is to start the building early next year and finish it two years later. There is a consultation which starts early February on some of the implications and runs about six weeks with an open day at the Priory on March 8th and an exhibition at the Library.there will be another consultation later - not sure when.Specific closure date for pool not given.

Sara Nathan ● 5706d

Yes, I've just received a reply from Active Ealing which indicates 'the Council is aiming to keep the Baths and otherbuildings and services open and operational for as long as possible prior to construction commencing...'So the answer seems to be - no one knows!

Lorna Dodd ● 5706d

I would have thought that the 'residents/residents assns group' who went on all the visits and who had discussions with those who are making the decisions about the baths would have been informed of what's happening - in order that they could pass on the information to others via this Forum.  But, of course, something so major should have been noted in the Ealing Borough Newsletter - have we all missed that?Is this information 'secret'?  Because it doesn't appear to be 'public'.There needs to be clear message coming from the staff working on site, else rumours will abound.

Dee Cook ● 5705d

I'm not sure it exists yet.There is a meeting of the Town Hall team on February 15th which - as it's half term for some schools - I cannot unfortunately attend. I would expect it to be discussed there and then

Sara Nathan ● 5705d

Shao-Ying,I suggest that you look at the Acton regeneration paper that was signed off at the cabinet meeting on 9th November 2010.  The cabinet is the council's key decision making body so most important things happen there.  See:http://www2.ealing.gov.uk/ealing3/export/sites/ealingweb/services/council/committees/agendas_minutes_reports/cabinet/25may2010-23may2011/_09_Nov_10/Item_07_-_Acton_Town_Hall_Regeneration_Project_Procurement.docYou will see that the regeneration programme envisages re-providing the swimming pool on the same site.  In practice this means that there will be no swimming for two years from the start of 2012 to the start of 2014.

Phil Taylor ● 5703d

During the two year closure perhaps the Council could organise a swimming 'deal' with the Park Club or the Virgin Active Club?

Dee Cook ● 5702d

Can you see it?

Sara Nathan ● 5702d

why not..... they could come to some sort of deal.  After all they will be losing income from the closure, they could split the entrance fees - Ealing would gain something and the private clubs could gain by selling other services they provide.

Dee Cook ● 5702d

Crikey - you stand by the poolside on the average Saturday at either club and see what the reaction would be to the hoi-polloi coming in for almost nowt when members are paying hundreds of pounds a month for the privilege.

Sara Nathan ● 5702d

......... well the last time I was a member of the Virgin Club, it was full of a mix of people (in fact there was a scam going on - one person's membership being used by a number of people - and using the lockers to store their clothes - no doubt using the steam room as a substitute for the hot baths in the Council facility). And in these times, sports clubs are having to reduce their membership charges and often offer special offers.

Dee Cook ● 5702d

My problem is that I have got to the point in my life where I have heard so many promises from councils, councillors, MPs and governments which were never fulfilled that I don't trust them, my fear is that these new facilities will never be built! Instead they will be demolished and suddenly the council will run out of money and the land will be sold off - the end! The draft report states:"The Priory Centre no longer provides the type and standard of accommodation that is needed by community organisations and it is Ealing Council’s intention to provide appropriate new spaces within the context of an overall plan for the Town Hall “island site”. The site of the Priory Centre is a financially valuable asset, the disposal of which will help to fund the overall rejuvenation of the civic complex. The disposal of the site, enabling a potential developer to demolish all the buildings on the site, would provide the maximum income for the council, which could then be used to cross-subsidise the non-income generating elements. "But I have heard that the centre is now going to be used as a small primary school, if this is the case, does the Council actually  have the money to carry out all these changes? Perhaps I am too suspicious!

Shao-Ying Ben-Nathan ● 5698d

No you are not too suspicious.This was raised at the CCA AGM with Jonathan Kirby the porject manager who said that even if it became a school, that would not inhibit the project. Then at the Ward Forum, Councillor Patricia Walker who holds the children and education portfolio on the council confirmed that the council is looking at converting the Priory site back into a school. She said that this would not affect the rest of the town hall project financially. She was a bit weaselly however about the fate of the Priory groups. So far all the residents' representatives on the town hall team have joined together to support the wish of the Priory groups not to be dispersed and dispossessed while the works are going on before finding a new home in the town hall complex. All the plans have been drawn up showing them now only having ONE move and the Priory redevelopment being done after they have a new home. That was accepted by all we thought. But Councillor Walker seemed to think that could be reneged upon with no consequences. She was assured very forcibly by the Priory chair and the CCA people among others, that this would be a major breach of faith.Dunno whether she realised it would cause serious ructions - but she should have done.

Sara Nathan ● 5698d