Swimming clubs' joint pool plea

The clubs, with a combined membership of more nearly 1,000, say existing facilities do not allow training to regional and national standard.

They are launching a New Year campaign by writing to all local schools, clubs and GP surgeries seeking their support for a 50-metre pool.

The nearest 50-metre pool is at Crawley. It is so busy that teams are grateful for bookings as late as 11pm, say campaign organisers.

Bexhill Swimming Club president Chris Newton, Hastings Seagull Swimming Club president Mike Hamblin and 1066 Swimmers chairman Tony Rouncivell are heading the campaign.

In a joint letter to lead members and the chief executives of Rother and Hastings councils they say: "For some time we have been concerned at the lack of competitive swimming facilities designed to allow local swimmers to reach their full potential..

"What is required is a 50-metre pool to replace the existing ageing facilities.

"However, we are not nave enough to believe that this can be provided as a stand-alone facility by a local council.

"We are therefore proposing that Hastings and Rother councils join forces to provide a sports centre based around a 50-metre pool that will alllow our children to develop and compete at county, regional, national and even international level in a variety of disciplines."

In accompanying notes the officers show why they think a joint facility is possible.

They say: "The need is there and a single outstanding facility would be more likely to succeed than two average ones.

"Two local authorities working in partnership with Sport England, SEEDA and others could make this happen.

"We believe the time is right with the proposed Link Road opening up development land and allowing the transport links that any successful facility requires. And it wouldn't be the first time the councils have joined forces. As part of the Hastings and Bexhill Task Force you have been short-listed for the Local Government Chronicle's Leadership To Place Shape award.

"Surely this project is simply a continuation of that project's aims to 'boost the local economy and bring vitality and prosperity to the area'?

"We will be working with local sports clubs and schools to try and demonstrate that the public are behind the project.

"All that we ask from you, the key players, is that the concept be given serious consideration.

"We will only have one chance to put 1066 Country on the sporting map and give local youth the opportunity to excel at their chosen disciplines."

The three club are urging that the two local authorities set up a joint project team to develop what that describe as "21st Century" opportunities for the people of Rother and Hastings, attract users from surrounding areas and promote increased fitness throughout 1066 Country.

The clubs say it is accepted that existing swimming facilities locally are coming to the end of their useful lives.

They say Hastings' Summerfields pool is now 27 years old and "showing its age" and the 18 year-old Glyne Gap pool has never been large enough for anything other than "fun" swimming and is now in need of refurbishment.

"Both local authorities are considering future options but are mindful of the difficulties in getting such facilities to pay their way."

The clubs say both councils have said in the past that a 50-metre pool is too expensive to build and run.

"The result is that Rother DC have already earmarked a site for a replacement 25-metre pool and are looking to make provision in their future capital programme for construction.

"Hastings BC is not so far advanced but Cllr Finch is championing a facility at the White Rock site although this again is likely to be a 25-metre pool."

Setting out the varying needs of recreational and competitive swimmers, the clubs say swimmers competing at county level and above need to train under "long-course" 50-metre conditions to be competitive.

The clubs argue: "Were a 50-metre pool to be constructed with a moveable boom, this would meet the majority of the competitive swimming needs along with the bulk of recreational swimmers."

If half the length had a variable bottom such as those at other pools such as Crawley then all aspirations could be met.

The clubs argue that at 14m the average cost of a 50-metre pool would be not quite double the cost of two 25-metre pools, currently around 7.9m each.

"Were a single facility on the Rother/Hastings boundary to be considered, jointly funded by the two authorities possibly with assistance from the Hastings and Rother Task Force thereby linking it to the new university, a 50-metre pool becomes a reality.

"Not only would this allow regional events to be held but also the pool could be split to allow two clubs to train at the same time, one club plus a full 25-metre public pool or water polo plus another club or the public.

"There are simply a multitude of possibilities."