WORK is underway clearing the site around what will be a new multi-million swimming pool for the Greater Eston area.
Demolition of the adjacent and now empty Pathways School building started today and its clearance will allow for improvement work on the wider complex area surrounding the new pool. The pool will meet Sport England's 'competition standard' specification for major events, to begin later this year.
The new swim centre is designed to replace the closed Eston Swimming Pool which would have cost more than £3 million to repair. The pool, to be built on the site of the old one will have a 25-metre swimming area with six lanes, a changing 'village' and capacity for 150 spectators.
Councillor Steve Kay, Deputy Leader of the council and Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare, said he remembers going to pool as a child when it was brand new and welcomed the forthcoming improvement. He said: “This is an excellent development which will serve the public for many years and have a significant positive impact on exercise and activity levels across the wider area. It will also serve our brilliant swimmers in the borough and wider area who represent the area and country in competitions."
Councillor Chris Gallacher, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “This represents a major investment for the Greater Eston area which will help bring people into the area from across the borough and beyond."
Prior to last year's closure, the existing pool, on Normanby Road, South Bank, was being regularly used by 16 schools and had 26,000 swimmers in 2019/20. However, it has flooded several times sustaining serious damage.
The gym and other exercise areas at Eston Leisure Centre will remain open during the construction work.