Shrewsbury Town Council’s wish to see the Quarry Pool stay in its current town centre park location moved a step nearer following two significant announcements this week.
At Monday night’s Finance & General Purpose Committee, the Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council sought the approval of members to continue discussions with his Shropshire Council counterpart, Councillor Peter Nutting, about the possible retention of the swimming pool within the Quarry. Councillor Nutting had also this week placed on record his personal desire to see the pool retained and to work with the Town Council to develop the facility.
Members of the Committee unanimously agreed that further discussion should take place with Shropshire Council in building a new pool in the park that could see the Town Council relocate its HQ into a shared building which they would help to fund and manage in the long term.
The Town Council had long-since objected to proposals to move the pool to the Sports Village in the west of the town siting access difficulties, parking conflicts with other sports facility users and potential damage to the vitality and viability of the town centre. Shropshire Council had sought the views of the public on the future location of swimming provision for Shrewsbury and 68% of the 2,000 responses received had supported pool provision in the Quarry.
Joining forces with the Business Improvement District and users of the Quarry Pool, the Town Council expressed its interest in managing the facility in the long term. This process was stalled by Shropshire Council and further investigations were undertaken to look at other town centre options.
Seeing the Quarry being the town’s jewel in the crown, members saw working with Shropshire Council to make a swimming facility that the whole town could be proud of an opportunity that should not be missed.
Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, Alan Mosley, said: “We are delighted that Shropshire Council seems to have had a change of heart on the siting of a redeveloped baths and fitness complex. We have invested heavily in the Quarry, not least by the recent installation of a new play area and Splash Park and the area is seen as the leisure quarter for the town centre. Building a new pool would go further to improving that offer enormously.
“Working in partnership with Shropshire Council and in close liaison with all interested parties, we believe that there is the opportunity of creating a wonderful facility at the heart of the town, accessible to all and fully integrated into the host of activities taking place in the Quarry for visitors and residents alike.
“We already have money set aside for a future permanent base for our HQ and town centre based staff, Council Chamber and community resources so that these would be incorporated into any new scheme.
We are excited by the potential and look forward to further deliberations about design and the management of such a vital asset for the town, stakeholders, visitors and general public.”
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