Labour to axe swimming in Clapham
Clapham is set to lose its pool for at least 17 months
Three years after fighting the last council elections on a promise to “Keep Clapham Swimming”, Labour Lambeth have announced plans to close and demolish the Clapham Leisure Centre in September.
While Lambeth Council says that another will be built on the site, even by their own figures Clapham would be without a pool for at least 17 months – and many expect it to be much longer. Indeed, in the current economic recession, there must be a serious risk that, even if the project starts, it may never be completed.
“Labour has betrayed the people of Clapham,” says former Councillor Bernard Gentry. “They promised to ‘Keep Clapham Swimming’ and now they are closing the pool. What other Council would demolish one of its main leisure centres in the run up to the London Olympics when demand for swimming facilities will be increasing?”
“Their actions are reckless and risk leaving Clapham without a pool for several years,” adds Sebastian Lowe. “There is plenty of space to build a new pool on the Mary Seacole House or the Depot site, which would mean that the existing pool would then remain open until the new one is built. Why is Labour so keen not to preserve the continuity of service and start off by demolishing the existing pool?”
Brixton’s just down the road – and is excellent.
Clapham needs completely rebuilding. Don’t be silly.
What a complete load of twaddle. Swimming ISN’T going to be ‘axed’ (wonderful tabloid speak btw) in Clap’ham – a brand new pool is being built. See the difference?
Spreading rumour for political gain is cheap. It also makes you appear rather foolish, given that by your own admission, a new pool is being built.
http://onionbagblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/clapham-whispers.html
This policy annoys me: swimming is a habbit, and amongst the young it is easily lost if not exercised.
The two posters above are somewhat naive. They still believe that when Lambeth Council promises something, “it will happen”. That has not been my experience.
“Geoff” says “Brixton is just down the road”.
“Just down the road” is a long way for those without cars.
“Obb” is misinformed. Swimming “is” going to be axed: for at least 17 Months. In all probablility longer. This is no “rumour”. I suggest he calls the Labour councillors for Clapham. They will confirm that what they formerly campaigned against, they are now going to implement.
The council should have built a new pool nearby, as suggested above, “then” redeveloped the existing site.
This is a real shame. I haven’t used these baths much, but I know they are valued. I joined a private gym (with pool), as there is talk of a swimming pool in Norwood but it will take years under this council, if the experience of the “Hub” project in Streatham is anything to go by.