Louise Davies, Warwick District Council’s Corporate Programme Manager for the new swimming pool development has kindly provided us with the following reflections on the last couple of years.
The long-awaited opening of the new swimming pool is now just around the corner – and what a journey it has been!
Having joined the project just over two years ago, this has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, projects I’ve had the pleasure of working on. It has certainly kept both me and the wider project team on our toes, presenting new challenges and opportunities at every stage.
Throughout the project, we’ve gained invaluable experience and lessons that we’ll carry forward into future developments. While there have been plenty of successes to celebrate, we’ve also had our fair share of unexpected obstacles.
One of the biggest challenges came when the mains water supply pipe burst – something no one could have anticipated. Resolving the issue required close collaboration with utility companies, navigating Scheduled Monument Consent requirements, managing disruption to the local community, and carefully assessing the impact on the programme. It was a significant hurdle, but thanks to the determination and teamwork of everyone involved, we successfully worked through it.
As with any major project, there have also been enhancements along the way. An additional PoolPod has been installed, allowing both pools to benefit without needing to move the equipment. The latest model also enables both the user and their assistant to be lowered into and out of the pool together, providing a more inclusive and user-friendly experience. We’ve also upgraded the power supply to the barn, creating opportunities for future improvements, including enhanced lighting, and eventually supplying power to the gatehouse.
The building itself was completed ahead of the revised programme, but one final challenge remained. To achieve Building Control sign-off, reinforced grass verges had to be installed along the main driveway to ensure emergency service access met the required standards. Until this work was completed, the facility could not open to the public. We’re delighted to say that this work is now finished, and we’re officially counting down to opening day on Saturday 11 July.
To celebrate the launch, Everyone Active is hosting a fantastic opening weekend, offering bookable free-swimming sessions alongside a variety of activities for all ages. They are also encouraging visitors to travel actively by promoting the range of sustainable transport options available to reach the centre.
The finished building looks fantastic and is a real testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of everyone involved. The team has done an outstanding job bringing this facility to life, and we can’t wait to welcome the community through the doors.
If you haven’t booked your free swim yet, don’t wait too long – spaces are filling up quickly.
Louise Davies, WDC Corporate Programme Manager