New Shrewsbury swimming pool could be built at current site

There has been a swimming pool at the Quarry site since 1864

Plans to create a new leisure centre at the site of the current swimming pool in Shrewsbury have been announced.

Shropshire Council has consulted over the town's swimming baths for three years, with a potential move out of town, opposed by campaigners, dropped.

A council review has concluded the best option is to rebuild or carry out a major refurbishment at the site of the Quarry, which dates back to 1864.

The recommendation to rebuild will be presented to the cabinet next week.

Work on a £500,000 feasibility plan will begin immediately, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Portfolio holder for culture and leisure Lezley Picton said her "gut feeling" was "it will be a complete rebuild on the current site".

She added: "We want a state-of-the-art pool that will be cutting edge by the standards of four years into the future, not cutting edge now."

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Executive director of place for the council Mark Barrow said if the cabinet approved plans, "we will press the button straight away and begin work".

He stated: "The study will start and we would hope to have the new pool open in about three years. Four years would be worst case scenario."

A group representing people who use the Quarry centre organised a march in July 2016

Mr Barrow said a number of sites were being looked at, including Sundorne Sports Village, for a planned temporary pool during the proposed closure of the current pool for work.

He said: "The people of Shrewsbury will not go without a pool for three years.

"If this (temporary) pool proved a success and was financially viable it could also remain after the new pool opens and then the town will have two."