Andover-based website Families Online have written to the new owners of Andover Leisure Centre for their official comment on the status of leisure facilities in the town.
A response from Peter Leamore, Places for People Area Manager, received yesterday makes it clear that there is no firm plan as to what will be happening with Andover’s swimming facilities.
He says, “I can confirm that the swimming pool at Andover Leisure Centre will be closed from 1 April 2017.
“The plans are to demolish the wetside building first followed by the Main Sports Hall from 10 May 2017 in order to facilitate the building on the new leisure centre at this location.
“Test Valley Borough Council have, in principle, agreed to the provision of temporary pool (subject to planning permission), and if approved this is likely to be available from mid-August”.
This comes as county council candidate for Andover South, Cllr Richard Rowles published results of an online survey which shows 98% of respondents do not feel they had properly consulted them on the decision.
Rowles says, “Also, 80% of respondents were against spending a shed load of taxpayers money on a temporary pool”.
According to Places for People, if approved, the temporary pool will only enable “a number of swimming activates… not all”. This will continue in place for two years.
Confirming the vague nature of the arrangement, Leamore concludes, “Once the decision for the temporary pool has been approved, we will be in contact with customers to advise then what is happening”.
Families Online is a website which provides event and activities information for families in North West Hampshire.
A full copy of the response from Places for People can read by clicking here.
