Swimming pool is taking shape in Wanstead

Weeks of enduring the hot weather, I cannot be the only person in Wanstead to think wouldn’t it be nice to have somewhere local to go for a swim?

Somewhere that did not involve taking a journey on the stifling tube network. Well, in Wanstead, those prayers are about to be answered, with the arrival of the swimming pool.

Residents are invited on Monday to view at Wanstead library the design proposals for the new pool, leisure facilities and Wanstead High School improvements.

There will be a 12 week consultation period later in the summer for people to comment on the planning application, with work due to start on the facilities later in the year.

I remember when starting at Wanstead High School back in the 1970s, there used to be a small open air pool based on part of what is now the car park for the leisure centre.

Teachers and pupils would go along for a dip or simply to sit by the pool. Unfortunately, this pool was taken away and not replaced.

Local people have been calling for a pool at this end of the borough for many years. Until Labour took over the council in 2014, this call fell on deaf ears. Indeed, swimming pools practically disappeared from the borough under previous Conservative administrations.

Under the present Labour council leadership this policy has been reversed. Swimming pools have been built across the borough, with the Wanstead but the latest recipient.

Swimming is vital, just for survival in life. Put simply if you cannot swim you may drown. Beyond self-preservation, swimming is an excellent exercise, involving many muscle groups and not causing the damage to joints and other parts of the body that other exercise can do.

More people swimming will also mean a fitter, healthier population.  A healthier population will mean less call on NHS services. It is a real win, win.

Bringing the swimming pool plans to fruition was part of the manifesto that I together with Jo Blackman, Daniel Morgan Thomas, Sheila Bain and Paul Merry campaigned on in the local elections last May. All five of us were returned for Wanstead Village and Wanstead Park wards. We are all now very proud to be delivering on this manifesto promise.

So let’s celebrate the start of the creation of our new swimming pool in Wanstead. Long may it prosper. 

 Published - 28/7/2018 -Wanstead and Woodford Guardian - "Fancy a lovely cool pool to plunge into? Here's how you can have your say on it."
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/16382881.have-your-say-on-the-planned-wanstead-swimming-pool/?ref=fbshr