Peterborough's Regional Pool to be demolished
The City Council has also announced a new pool will be built
Peterborough’s Regional Pool will be demolished – after RAAC concrete was found in the building.
Peterborough City Council has decided to demolish it - after they heard it would 26 million pounds to repair it.
Built in the 1970s, the Regional Pool closed in September last year after “high risk” reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, was identified in the building.
Councillors then decided to keep the pool closed after it was revealed it would cost around £26.3m to repair, with issues including structural cracking, out-of-date mechanical and electrical installations and damaged asbestos.
Last year, £275,000 was also spent in response to Legionella bacteria being found at the pool on multiple occasions; the council says a further £25,000 would be needed to improve water quality. It also spent around £1m on a temporary car park.
PCC has also agreed to build a new pool
PCC has also agreed to build a new pool, estimating that this will cost £30m, which is planned for completion in 2028.
The council is at an early stage of this project and, while the estimate is for a 25m pool, says it hasn’t ruled out a 50m pool.
Councillors voiced support for this suggestion at the cabinet meeting and asked whether a diving board could also be considered.
They also said it would take a similar amount of time to reopen the pool as it would to build a new one as it needs so much refurbishment to become safe to open.
The £30m estimate also includes a teaching pool, splash pool, cafe, sports hall, gym, clip and climb facility and soft play area.
The next step is building an outline business case for the new pool followed by procurement of an operator and developer.
The council expects to award a contract between September 2025 and January 2026, after which building work will begin.