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The lack of a deep end in the pool of Caerphilly’s planned new leisure centre has been defended by the leader of the council, following criticism from the county’s competitive swimming team.
When built, the £33.6 million “leisure and wellbeing hub” will boast a sports hall, squash courts, health and fitness suites and studios, soft/adventure play areas, and a cafe.
It will also have a family-centred swimming area and a main pool – but only to a uniform depth of 1.1 metres.
The UK Government is spending £20m of Levelling-Up Fund cash on the scheme, which will be built on former industrial land between the town’s railway station and Caerphilly Business Park, with the rest coming from council reserves.
Caerphilly County Swim Squad has around 85 members and trains three nights a week at Caerphilly, two nights at Heolddu leisure centre in Bargoed, and on a Saturday morning.
Peter Key is the head coach and said the limited depth of the new pool would not be “feasible” for the club.
He explained: “We cannot dive into it and we cannot hold galas. Some of our guys have 5m to 6m wingspans which [1.1m] makes it awkward.
“I cannot see any logic to it at all. We did try to talk to them. They came to us, applying for Levelling-Up, to put a package together for what we used – a wishlist – and that was the last we spoke to them.”
While the wishlist included a 50m eight-lane pool with seating, Peter said he was realistic with expectations – despite the chance for the club to hold its own money-spinning gala events – but was surprised by the 1.1m depth.
He continued: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I don’t feel they’ve got it right.”
As part of the planning process, the club submitted its thoughts but have yet to have a formal sit down meeting with the council about how the pool depth will impact the club – despite spending up to £25,000 a year on pool hire.
Peter said other pools, such as Heolddu, could be used instead but would require members to travel further and for the facilities to be made available to the club.
A meeting is due to take place with officials on June 26.
Sustainability and Well-being of Future Generations Act
Councillor Sean Morgan, the Labour leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, has defended the new pool’s limited depth and cited Wales’ Well-being of Future Generations Act.
He explained the limited depth means extra capacity for children’s swimming lessons and other classes as a deep end would no longer be closed for learners.
There is also the energy cost of heating the water in a deeper pool.
Cllr Morgan said: “We are trying to create the most usable pool and the most sustainable to run.
“You have got to look at other council areas where they have closed pools – so many others have gone out to third parties to run.
“Merthyr lasted two years and then it was closed for two years and had to go back to the council.
“When we make decisions, we have got to make them in relation to the Well-being of Future Generations Act. That swimming pool, we have got to be able to keep it open as funds fall and our revenue budget diminishes.”
Cllr Morgan said the swimming squad would be able to train lengths in the 1.1m depth, but conceded that diving could not take place. However, that could happen at Heolddu, Risca, and Cefn Fforest pools.
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