Hucknall’s new pool ready to make a splash
Ashfield District Council’s new teaching pool at Hucknall Leisure Centre has been completed and will welcome a new generation of swimmers when it opens on Saturday 24 June.
The 15m teaching pool, which has a maximum depth of 900mm and features a Poolpod lift for accessible entry, is a purpose-built space for swimming lessons for the Hucknall community, which will be provided by facility operator Everyone Active. The water in the pool is warmer than the main pool to ensure a comfortable experience for swimmers.
The pool house roof has been fitted with photovoltaic panels to generate sustainable energy to heat the water, reducing the carbon footprint of the building.
The second pool completes the £5.5million investment into Hucknall Leisure Centre over the past couple of years. Improvements at Hucknall Leisure Centre include upgrading the gym with top of the range equipment, a brand-new café and reception area, an innovative cycling studio and a new wetside changing village featuring different sized areas to accommodate multiple users. The completion of this project is part of the Council’s £22.5million leisure transformation which has ensured that each town in Ashfield has state-of-the-art facilities.
As part of the project build, Kier, the building contractors, had to include measures which aligned to the Council’s Social Value Policy. The Social Value Policy ensures that all procurement has a positive impact on Ashfield’s economy, residents’ wellbeing and the environment. During this project Kier spent 39.72% of the total project spend within 10 miles of Hucknall Leisure Centre, employed two apprentices, diverted 99.73% of their waste from landfill, and conducted workshops with the DWP about employability.
On top of this Kier will be volunteering their services to Hope Lea Project in Hucknall to improve their outdoor space including moving and replacing fencing, paving an area to allow better wheelchair access, providing raised beds, and building a lean-to.
The Council are hosting an opening pool party on Saturday 15 July with free bookable swimming sessions, free face painting and balloon modelling. Full details will be released on their website and social media in the coming weeks.
Cllr Chris Huskinson, Executive Lead for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, said:
“We are so proud to have completed this second swimming pool at Hucknall Leisure Centre. The teaching pool will allow generations of children to learn a valuable life skill.
“The Council is committed to providing state-of-the-art, quality leisure facilities and this new pool is the latest in the long line of excellent sports and exercise venues. Look out for more details about the open morning in July, it’s set to make a big splash in the community.”
Lorenzo Clark, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said:
“We are incredibly excited at the prospect of opening the learner pool to the local community. The lessons that take place will enable children and adults to have fun and be active, while teaching a skill which will prove invaluable throughout their lives.
“We offer award-winning lessons for all ages, with child classes starting at four months, and would encourage people to contact Hucknall Leisure Centre for more information if they are interested in increasing their water confidence.”
Martin Williamson, Kier’s Operations Director for the East Midlands said:
“It has been a pleasure to work with Ashfield District Council to deliver the swimming pool at Hucknall Leisure Centre and our team are delighted that it will soon be opening its doors to the local community. This is the second successful leisure project that we have delivered for the council and our excellent relationship with them, combined with our extensive expertise in building leisure facilities, has allowed us to create a truly special state-of-the-art space that can be enjoyed for generations to come. While the project is now complete, we look forward to continuing our social value work in the local community.”
