Residents can have their say on swimming pool plan

Residents can have their say on plans for a city's new swimming pool.

It looks set to be built in Peterborough with the help of a £20m contribution from the government after the Regional Pool closed in 2024 because of structural issues.

The city council's cabinet approved plans for the 25m pool and fitness centre, likely to cost £38m, in October.

Now in the design phase, the council is running social media polls to get people's views on the scheme.

The polls are on the council's 'Have your say' Facebook group. Questions include:

• How important would on-site parking be for you when considering whether to use a new leisure development and pool?
• In which way would you be most likely to use a leisure development and pool?
• How likely would you be to increase your physical activity if there was a new leisure development with pool in Peterborough?

City council leader Shabina Qayyum, who represents Labour, previously said: "A new swimming pool will benefit residents of all ages and generations to come, supporting our younger residents to learn how to swim..."

To raise the rest of the money, the authority is speaking to organisations including Sport England, Living Sport, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and private business.

If the full £38m can be secured, construction work could start early in 2027, with completion expected in the summer of 2028.

Proposals include poolside and balcony seating, a 20m four-lane learner pool, a café, soft play, health and wellbeing suite and a fitness suite.

A full planning application is expected to be submitted in 2026 following the public consultation.

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