Marple Swimming Pool currently closed

[andrewbowden]

Think it's removal might be temporary, aren't they forming another operating company instead of the current arrangement?.

That's a different thing.

For those that don't know, Life Leisure is a trading name of Stockport Sports Trust, a charity, who run the facilities for the council.  Due to the impact of Covid the charity is going to wind down with council facilities taken over by Stockport Active, a community interest company owned by the council.  They plan to keep the Life Leisure branding and ethos.  So visibly not much will change.

The removal of Marple from the website is probably just more of an operational thing.  No point in mentioning a closed centre if it will never reopen.

[andrewbowden]

Tameside closed Dukinfield pool in spring 2015.  The plan was to replace it with a new pool alongside Hyde Leisure Pool.  Six years on, they're now very close to opening it.  Six years, and that was a relatively uncontroversial plan!

I'm not holding out much hope for earlier than 2024 for Marple.

I should correct myself.  It was 2016 that Dukinfield closed.  So five years.

[GM]

Think it's removal might be temporary, aren't they forming another operating company instead of the current arrangement?.

[andrewbowden]

Thanks for update may see this before im on my zimmer frame

Tameside closed Dukinfield pool in spring 2015.  The plan was to replace it with a new pool alongside Hyde Leisure Pool.  Six years on, they're now very close to opening it.  Six years, and that was a relatively uncontroversial plan!

I'm not holding out much hope for earlier than 2024 for Marple.

[amazon]

Whilst looking for something completely different, I spotted the council have put out an update on the pool.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/news/marple-leisure-and-community-hub-update-23rd-june-2021

LifeLeisure have removed their page on Marple completely, which seems to imply the talk of a temporary gym has been pushed out into the long grass.

Thanks for update may see this before im on my zimmer frame

[andrewbowden]

Whilst looking for something completely different, I spotted the council have put out an update on the pool.

Marple Leisure and Community Hub Update, 23 June 2021
As part of ongoing work to develop replacement leisure and community facilities, the Council carried out a second round of public engagement between December 2020 - January 2021.

This engagement has informed the latest phase of work which the council has been undertaking on the project over the last few months.

The strongest preference expressed in the engagement process was for a scheme which co-located health, community and leisure facilities and incorporated Hollins House into the complex. People welcomed the opportunity to integrate services in a single ‘hub’ and felt that the site presented was the best place to do this. This feedback has helped us to do more detailed work to consider how different functions could best be accommodated in a scheme.

A number of concerns were raised about parking, access and traffic, the potential loss of woodland in the park, the proximity to neighbouring properties and the size of the swimming pool. The Marple Senior Citizens Association expressed a wish to remain in their current building. This feedback has helped us to reconsider and revise the schemes which were circulated during the engagement process.

As a result, the council has been working with the architects to draw up alternative options based around the same site. Development work is continuing prior to a revised scheme being brought forward for planning.

In parallel with this, the council has been investigating funding models and options for the new facility and having discussions with a range of organisations about potentially being accommodated in the new scheme. The funding available and organisations confirming their involvement will ultimately define the scope and scale of the scheme which is brought forward for planning.

https://www.stockport.gov.uk/news/marple-leisure-and-community-hub-update-23rd-june-2021

LifeLeisure have removed their page on Marple completely, which seems to imply the talk of a temporary gym has been pushed out into the long grass.

[admin]

The council has issued an Update Statement on the Marple Leisure and Community Hub this morning:

https://www.stockport.gov.uk/news/marple-leisure-and-community-hub-project-update-march-2021

Marple Leisure & Community Hub Project – Update March 2021

In December 2020, GT3 Architects working on behalf of Stockport Council undertook a public engagement process on concept designs for a new leisure and community hub for Marple.

The exercise presented three potential options for the facility and residents were asked for their thoughts about:

• The proposed layout of facilities in the different options for the hub
• The proposed site location.
• Each of the three options presented and their preferred option.

We were pleased to receive 385 responses to the engagement process. 70% of the responses were generally positive and in favour of the proposals. Just over half of the responses expressed a preference for option 3 which combined a number of health and community facilities along with the library and leisure centre and incorporated Hollins House into the scheme. Amongst the responses we received were many helpful suggestions and ideas which will help us further develop the scheme. A number of concerns were also raised which we will seek to address as the project progresses to the next stage. We will provide more detailed information on your feedback and how we have incorporated this into updated plans in due course.

A dedicated youth survey took place at the same time. This generated 60 responses from people within the area who are under the age of 25. This highlighted a preference in the potential new facility for a fitness offer (football being a popular choice), a community offer (areas to socialise and practise hobbies being the most suggested), and a children’s offer e.g. an external adventure play area and play equipment in the pool hall. We are working to see how these elements could be incorporated into the scheme which goes forward.

If you have any queries about the project, please e-mail marplepoolproject@stockport.gov.uk

[wheels]

Option 3 clearly looks to be the best even if the pool is disappointing in size. However I've had previous experience of dealing with third party organisation in projects like this (NHS and the Police) and wonder with their involvement and the way they drag their feet if option 3 would be completed in my life time. Option 1 is the only one that seems to offer any hope that I'd get a swim in Marple before I die.

[amazon]

Consultation / Public Engagement  on Leisure and Community Hub in Marple ends tomorrow!

Make sure you have your say before the consultation end tomorrow!

https://www.marple.website/community-projects/marple-community-hub.html

Done option 3 voted for

[admin]

Consultation / Public Engagement  on Leisure and Community Hub in Marple ends tomorrow!

Make sure you have your say before the consultation end tomorrow!

https://www.marple.website/community-projects/marple-community-hub.html

[admin]

just bumping this post to the top of the thread....

HAVE YOUR SAY... On initial plans for a new Leisure and Community Hub in Marple

Stockport Council is consulting with residents until 4 January 2021



At last you can have your say on initial plans for a new Leisure and Community Hub in Marple!

Stockport Council and GT3 Architects are consulting with residents until 4 January 2021 on a replacement for Marple Library, Marple Pool and maybe more.

See the full story here:

https://www.marple.website/community-projects/marple-community-hub.html

This video is a great explanation of the plans and options:



Here are the plans and options in pdf format:

https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/policy-performance-and-reform/marple-leisure-and-community-hub-phase-2-public-en/user_uploads/19018-gt3-marple-leisure-and-community-hub---public-engagement-december-2020.pdf

Have your say here:

https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/policy-performance-and-reform/marple-leisure-and-community-hub-phase-2-public-en/

Here are outline plans of the 3 options:

[GM]

Option wise a hybrid between 2 & 3 would be better, all the pedestrianisation and using Parkfield avenue seems like a waste of tarmac and space.

Does the memorial park have any original covenants in place like the Rec ?.

As the whole scheme is going to cost literally millions, why compromise on a tiny 25 x 8.5m 4 lane Pool when we could fit a competition sized 25 x 13m 6 lane pool, surely an extra couple of metres would also pay off by allowing competitions and bus access for schools etc without having to escape Marple and use Grand Central.

We have the space and aren't paying for the land, I presume the original pool would be sold to a supermarket to at least fund some of these design works ?.

From a design point of view the fitness suite really should face towards the play area and towards marple bridge instead of directly at Hollins house. Not sure the sight of sweaty young fitness types would be appreciated by the seniors!.

[admin]

My understanding is (although it could be way out of date) that the Scouts opted out of any plans to move and re-develop or share spaces quite some time ago. All three proposals show the Scout Hut remaining where it is.

Andy

That is my understanding from recent discussion with the council too. The scouts own their building and do not wish to be part of the community scheme.

Space and flexibility-wise that's a shame but I can understand why - they have invested heavily in the facilities they have.

[Andy]

My understanding is (although it could be way out of date) that the Scouts opted out of any plans to move and re-develop or share spaces quite some time ago. All three proposals show the Scout Hut remaining where it is.

Andy

[Howard]

I'm not sure how discussions with the Police and the Scouts are going, but if those organisations were also relocated, then the car park next to the fire station could be used as an access point onto Hollins Lane. Then there would be three options, Parkfield, Hollins Lane and the current entrance to the park.