Lib Dems call for new Olympic Swimming Pool in Ipswich

12.41.46pm GMT Fri 1st Dec 2006

Ipswich looks set to build a brand new Olympics size (50m) swimming pool. The Borough Council has been instructed to prepare a feasibility report into a new build. This report will be ready for consideration in Spring 2007.

Many will ask of course ask about the future of Crown Pools. Cllr. Andrew Cann, whose father Jamie Cann was principally responsible for building Crown Pools, explains:

"Crown Pools was a milestone in it's time providing the best new leisure pool in the country with training facilities also.

Pools, like any other building need maintaining but the labour administration failed to maintain the pool - cutting maintenance year-after-year. We took over late in 2004. We discovered a facility that is time-expired well before it's time. People tell me that they still use Crown Pools but are disappointed by the state of the place despite the staff doing their best.

The Borough Council has a choice. It can either radically refurbish Crown Pools or build a new pool with improved services. Whilst I have an obvious personal attachment to Crown Pools the new build looks like a better option for our swimmers and a better option for our council-tax payers.

I look forward to seeing the plans develop".