Swimming in Hackney Position Statement - 22/02/08
In April 2007, the newly refurbished 50m-heated lido at London Fields was opened. This provided a huge boost to Hackney's pool stock after years of unfortunate closures. London Fields Lido is open throughout the year for all types of swimming including lessons. It has been extremely popular with local residents and has continued to draw in the crowds over the winter.
December 2007 saw the opening of Clissold Leisure Centre. This is a fantastic facility with two 25m pools, one of which is suitable for ASA competitions and has also been used by London Swimming for talent camps.
This facility has been long awaited by the local community and initial use has been very high in particular GLL swim school places are nearly running at 100% a few weeks after advertising.
On the back of these facility developments London Swimming met with the Council and some of the local clubs to discuss development opportunities. The aim was to ensure that the Borough put together a plan that met the principles outlined in 'A strategy to Get London Swimming 2008-2012+’ that is endorsed by the GLA and Sport England London.
The principles need to be set within a structure that is financially sustainable and caters for all residents needs across the Borough. Clissold Swimming Club while agreeing with the principles, disagreed with the suggested delivery mechanisms.
The club offered to share its business plan, which showed how the pathway could be delivered. To date this business plan has not been shared.
Hackney Council has agreed to write a Borough strategy for swimming and a facilities plan to be implemented from 2009. London Swimming looks forward to sharing its learning from other Boroughs with the Council, clubs and the pool operator.
Currently neither of the swimming clubs in Hackney Clissold Swimming Club nor the Orthodox Jewish Charedi Community Swimming Club, hold ASA Swim21 accreditation.
