The following announcement about the future of Forest Hill Pools is on the se23.com website:
"A summary of the intrusive survey can be found on Lewisham Council's website. The conclusion is refurbishment can take place but the investment needed would be significant and it may be more cost effective to build a new facility.
http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/LeisureAndCu ... ls/Intrusi veSurveyFindings.htm
Keely Sherbird of the South London Press reports the estimated cost of refurbishment has risen to £5.05M and the rebuild estimate has risen to £5.1M."
The Sydenham Society has asked its friendly conservation architect for his opinion on the news.
His initial reaction to the suggestion of a rebuild is that "it cannot possibly be cheaper to demolish the existing facility and build a new one afresh to the same standard. The new-build construction costs alone for a properly appointed swimming pool will be in the region £2,500 - £3,000 per square metre.
By properly appointed, I am referring to a pool facility which is fully enclosed against the elements, has year-round temperature control of both internal air and the water in the pool, has proper showering, changing and toilet facilities, is secure against anti-social or criminal behaviour, has adequate reception and ticketing capacity and, finally, is provided with decent accommodation for the necessary staff complement.
This would not include the cost of demolition of the existing facility, which could not be less than £0.5M. By the phrase, 'cost-effective' the authors of the report are leading to a solution which will remove the existing generous and architecturally imposing facility and substitute a much smaller, reach-me-down, single pool in a crinkly tin shed."
Forest Hill Pools
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Pat Trembath
- Posts: 613
- Joined: 2 Oct 2004 10:54
The short answer to your question, Annie, is - no, at least I hope no, not until other considerations have been fully taken into account
In October 2005 Lewisham sent out a 20,000 consultation leaflet and held two very well attended public meetings about the future of the pools. The pools users who attended the meetings, made it clear that because of the amount of water activities at Forest Hill two pools were required and these would only be provided if the current building was refurbished. A new build would provide one 25m six-lane pool.
The return on the consultation was split 50/50, and many people thought the questions were loaded towards a rebuild. Having listened to the discussions and arguments at the public meetings the Sydenham Society came down in favour of retaining the original building, as demolishing the old and building a new one meant that the original £4.6m would not go anywhere towards providing a quality building with two pools.
At the spring 2006 Area Forum Mayor Steve Bullock announced the decision to refurbish. That was when the other decision to commission an intrusive survey was also announced. There were many sceptics about the council's ultimate intentions.
The current figure of £5.1m will not provide for a new, properly appointed building with two pools.
Until recently the council has not addressed the future of Louise House, which surely must come into the discussion about the future of this whole site. Lewisham has now agreed that Louise House should be used for community purposes but there has been no indication as to what will happen to this building.
There is an Area Forum meeting on 20 January at St George's Church, corner of Woolstone Road and Vancouver Road, when local residents in Forest Hill, Perry Vale and Sydenham Wards should expect to have some more specific information.
I think there is a much bigger picture we should be keeping our eyes on.
In October 2005 Lewisham sent out a 20,000 consultation leaflet and held two very well attended public meetings about the future of the pools. The pools users who attended the meetings, made it clear that because of the amount of water activities at Forest Hill two pools were required and these would only be provided if the current building was refurbished. A new build would provide one 25m six-lane pool.
The return on the consultation was split 50/50, and many people thought the questions were loaded towards a rebuild. Having listened to the discussions and arguments at the public meetings the Sydenham Society came down in favour of retaining the original building, as demolishing the old and building a new one meant that the original £4.6m would not go anywhere towards providing a quality building with two pools.
At the spring 2006 Area Forum Mayor Steve Bullock announced the decision to refurbish. That was when the other decision to commission an intrusive survey was also announced. There were many sceptics about the council's ultimate intentions.
The current figure of £5.1m will not provide for a new, properly appointed building with two pools.
Until recently the council has not addressed the future of Louise House, which surely must come into the discussion about the future of this whole site. Lewisham has now agreed that Louise House should be used for community purposes but there has been no indication as to what will happen to this building.
There is an Area Forum meeting on 20 January at St George's Church, corner of Woolstone Road and Vancouver Road, when local residents in Forest Hill, Perry Vale and Sydenham Wards should expect to have some more specific information.
I think there is a much bigger picture we should be keeping our eyes on.
Thank you for your reply Pat,
My children both did all their swimming medals etc at Forest Hill Pools,
and although i must admit i no longer go swimming (too lazy)
i love the old buildings along there.
and appreciate the fact that other people do still use the pool/facilities,
and as a Lewisham tax payer i am more than willing to pay for this type of recreational facility for those that do want it.
keep up the good work Pat i know sometimes it must seem like a never ending task to try and keep everyone happy, but i for one do appreciate all the effort and time you put into Sydenham.