Marple Swimming Pool currently closed

[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.

[Dave]

I don't see Parkfield as an issue, especially if it was part of a one way system or the junction was remodelled somehow.

Driving past the other day I had a good look at the junction of Parkfield Avenue and Station Road.  I think those who see this as a problem have a point - in particular, the junctions of Parkfield Ave and Hollins Lane are close together, and the traffic on Station Road sometimes goes quite fast. But a one-way system looks like it could work, with visitors to the new centre entering via Parkfield and exiting via a new road a bit further along towards the canal.

[Razzle24]

I also agree that option 3 is the best option. The pedestrianising of the current entrance could give future opportunities for events such as a ‘foodie  Friday’ similar to Romiley. It will also give back some green space that the community have lost from the schools and college selling off the land for housing.

[amazon]

Snap!

The junction for Romiley baths isn't good - too narrow, on a bend with fast moving traffic and cars joining from other side streets - but we've managed with it for the past however many months. This is why I don't see Parkfield as an issue, especially if it was part of a one way system or the junction was remodelled somehow.

Exciting times - Let's hope our local councillors don't mess it up.

Ive filled form in no3  option for me bring it all together ,could be very good if they dont cock it up .

[Andy]

Snap!

The junction for Romiley baths isn't good - too narrow, on a bend with fast moving traffic and cars joining from other side streets - but we've managed with it for the past however many months. This is why I don't see Parkfield as an issue, especially if it was part of a one way system or the junction was remodelled somehow.

Exciting times - Let's hope our local councillors don't mess it up.

Don't worry, I was being a bit tongue in cheek!   It is quite a slog on the bike up to the top of Mellor and much as its great aerobic exercise, I  wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to do it!  Although it's not a bad cycle to Romiley pool along the canal towpath.  Or even up that nice cycle lane they built alongside Otterspool Road  

But equally I do drive to Romiley as well as cycling.  The children have their lessons there now.  And I kinda look forward to when they can go somewhere nearer to the house again!

[andrewbowden]

Understood. I was more thinking of families taking kids for swimming lessons, or people attending the exercise classes in the fitness studio. I permanently work from home and pre-covid, I used to drive to Romiley four times a week from Marple at lunchtimes. I will do so again once I'm vaccinated but I'd much prefer to walk to a Marple facility.

Don't worry, I was being a bit tongue in cheek!   It is quite a slog on the bike up to the top of Mellor and much as its great aerobic exercise, I  wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to do it!  Although it's not a bad cycle to Romiley pool along the canal towpath.  Or even up that nice cycle lane they built alongside Otterspool Road  

But equally I do drive to Romiley as well as cycling.  The children have their lessons there now.  And I kinda look forward to when they can go somewhere nearer to the house again!

[Google]

As a resident of Hollins Green Road I have to admit that pulling out on to Station Road can sometimes be a nightmare (especially as people seem to be parking on the roadside further and further up Station Road but that's a different subject) and I've nearly been in a few accidents because of it. Where Parkfield Ave is, I fear it'll be much the same and the house on the corner has high trees/bushes, making vision towards Marple Bridge even trickier. Traffic lights would be an eyesore, stem the flow of traffic and not overly fair on the residents on Station Road either.

Option 3 is by far the best option but with access from where it is now in my opinion. I'm not a swimmer (as I'm horrific at it and will stick to running) but I can't help but feel that a 4 lane pool won't be adequate. With a nice new facility there will be more people wanting to swim, including new swimmers and the pool will soon be overloaded. With the opportunity of a brand new facility, a 6 lane pool should without question be looked at.

Exciting stuff though