Marple Swimming Pool currently closed

[amazon]

That was part of the FUD from Marple Inaction. Their premise was that for some reason the current pool would have to be demolished to create a roundabout.

It was always nonsense, but it worked. A significant number of Marple residents (my parents included) genuinely believed that an ASDA on Hibbert Lane would mean the end of Marple baths.

it wasent going there it was going on part of the land were they are building .

[marpleexile]

There was talk if Asda came to the ridge but of coarse it was stoped by Marple in action they would build another smaller one on the site of were the Houses are now going .it does seem as though its all back firing now more traffic as well they were also going to allter the road layout ....

That was part of the FUD from Marple Inaction. Their premise was that for some reason the current pool would have to be demolished to create a roundabout.

It was always nonsense, but it worked. A significant number of Marple residents (my parents included) genuinely believed that an ASDA on Hibbert Lane would mean the end of Marple baths.

[andrewbowden]

A lot could be done with some internal restructuring - re-build the changing rooms, re-jigg things about a bit.  Just, frankly, gut the place, and use the space available more creatively.  With a little work, it might even be possible to extend the pool to a full 25m and I'm sure it could be widened a little because the side of the pool is rather wide.

Of course it's not likely to happen any time soon.  Nor is - if we're honest - there going to be a new pool built any time.  For starters, where would it even be able to go?  (Delivery office site!)

[amazon]

Seems to me that it is long overdue that this disgraceful facility was demolished and a new one built.

There was talk if Asda came to the ridge but of coarse it was stoped by Marple in action they would build another smaller one on the site of were the Houses are now going .it does seem as though its all back firing now more traffic as well they were also going to allter the road layout ....

[mikes]

Seems to me that it is long overdue that this disgraceful facility was demolished and a new one built.

[wheels]

The changing rooms are indeed dreadful even very basic things like the lockers still operate on the old £1 coin havent been addressed.

[andrewbowden]

Have to say that I tend to find Stockport's leisure facilities to be in a bit of a sad state compared to other boroughs.  With the exception of Denton Pool (which is going to be replaced), Tameside's facilities (for example) are in much better nick with far nicer changing facilities and overall experience.   Not just Tameside, but similar situation in facilities I have used in various London boroughs, Fife, Merthyr Tydfil and Cumbria (hey, I like swimming..)

Certain lockers have been broken in Marple for the entire of the 18 months I've been using the pool, the changing rooms are terrible, and the roof has been known to leak.  The flumes being broken at Grand Central for so long is just tragic.  Avondale has problems with water temperature and broken lockers.  Indeed the only local pool that I've visited and that I can't say anything too negative about is Romiley. 

It feels like there's an air of decay about them all.  I am glad that some work is being done, but it does feel like there's a of of basics that no one seems to want to sort out.  For example the fact that I was told at Grand Central that the lockers "will never be upgraded" to take the new pound coins because it was "too expensive" (direct quotes from the member of staff on reception.)  I was told it would cost £7,000 which in the grand scheme of things is not that much when you consider what the monthly running costs of the place must be.

I do appreciate money is tight.  Council budgets have suffered enormously.  But equally I do hope the council as a whole keeps in mind the recent abrupt closures of both Marple and Grand Central due to equipment failure of equipment that was due to be replaced...  I suspect there's a learning in there somewhere.

[CllrGeoffAbell]

The baths are open, but the boiler is temporary.

We need a better solution but as always at the moment it's down to money.  (Are we still in "austerity"?)  Brexit won't help.  But at least Marple was mentioned in the full council.  Several times.  So we're not forgotten...

[andrewbowden]

Impressively I got an email this evening telling me that Grand Central pools is ALSO closed due to "essential boiler maintenance"...

Glad Stockport's swimming pools are in such a healthy condition.

[andrewbowden]

For anyone who uses the local pool, it's closed until at least Thursday "due to essential maintenance on the boilers"
https://www.lifeleisure.net/enterprise/marple

Perhaps whilst they're closed they'll go out and buy a tin of paint to finally tidy up the mess of the changing rooms.  But somehow I doubt it.