NEWS RELEASES
A new Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre for Billingshurst
26th July 2007
The construction of a new public swimming pool in Billingshurst is now underway. It is anticipated that by the summer of 2008 Billingshurst and the west of the Horsham District will see a new 25 metre, four lane indoor pool - with movable floor - in place.
The Billingshurst Community Swimming Pool will be very much a facility for the community as the majority of the new pool’s use is intended for public swimming, a full programme of swimming lessons and club usage. It will also benefit local schools. The inclusion of the moveable floor will enable varying water depths to be created to suit swimmers of all abilities and ages.
This project will also provide an extension to the existing “Solutions” fitness suite with all new fitness equipment and an improved reception area. These new facilities will link with the existing Weald Recreation Centre in Station Road to create a new Billingshurst Leisure Centre.
This new community pool is the third element of Horsham District Council’s swimming strategy which was adopted back in 1996/97. The strategy has already seen community swimming pools successfully introduced at Horsham’s Pavilions in the Park and at Steyning Leisure Centre in Steyning.
Cllr Brian Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Health at Horsham District Council said:
“I am delighted that the construction of this community swimming pool is now underway. The completion of this project will provide an indoor swimming opportunity for the vast majority of Horsham District residents within a ten minute drive time and will go a major way to tackling obesity in both young and old.”
The pool project is expected to cost £5.7 million to build, with a large proportion of this being made up of housing developer contributions from new homes built in Billingshurst in recent years. £680,000 has also been awarded to the project from the National Lottery’s Sport England Community Investment Fund. The remainder of the cost will be made up by Horsham District Council. A £10,000 per annum contribution to the net annual running costs has been agreed by Billingshurst Parish Council.
Lisa O'Keefe, Interim Regional Director, Sport England South East said:
"Sport England invests in projects which can demonstrate the capacity and commitment to boosting the number of opportunities for people to take part in sport. Swimming is an inclusive activity giving people of all ages and abilities the opportunity for physical activity.
"I am delighted that work is underway to transform the popular facilities at Billingshurst into a community leisure centre for the public, local schools and swimming clubs."
The Billingshurst swimming pool project is a partnership project between Horsham District Council, Billingshurst Parish Council, West Sussex County Council and the Weald School.
For further information email leisure@horsham.gov.uk or telephone Steve Hawker at Horsham District Council on (01403) 215261.
Ends
Note to Editors:
Sport England exists to sustain and increase participation in community sport. It is a non-departmental public body and lottery distributor. Its ambition is to get two million people participating in sport by 2012. It does this by promoting, advising and investing in community sport. The specific ambition for the South East region is to get 300,000 more people taking part in sport and active recreation for thirty minutes, three times per week by 2012. www.sportengland.org/southeast.
CONTACT: Sarah Hogben, Marketing and Events Manager, Horsham District Council
sarah.hogben@horsham.gov.uk