Peterborough sports quarter and pool backed by government
Plans for a swimming pool in a city that has been left without one for almost two years have been backed by the government.Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was first discovered at Peterborough's Regional Pool in September 2023 and it was forced to shut.In her Spending Review on Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she would establish funding to help the City Council develop plans for a sports quarter, including a pool.Andrew Pakes, the Labour MP for the city, said it was the "only one of the top 10 fastest growing cities in the country without a public pool".
In her speech to Parliament, Reeves said the government would establish a Growth Mission Fund worth £240m "to expedite local projects that are important for growth".She said a sports quarter would form part of the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) campus in the city and it would "drive activity and community cohesion".Following the speech, Pakes said: "Today's backing from the government for the principle of a new pool and sports quarter, bringing together ARU Peterborough, the council and others means we can now bid for the funding, put the business case in and get a new pool in the city centre."Reeves boosts NHS and housing budgets but Tories say it's 'spend now, tax later'Seven ways the Spending Review will affect youSpending Review: Where key money is being spent... in 99 seconds
A decision was made to permanently close the Regional Pool in March 2024 due to high repair costs, with demolition work expected to take place until July. It was hoped that a replacement pool, which would be built at an estimated cost of £30m, would be open by 2028.Pakes said it could be about 18 months before work on the sports quarter would begin. Funding is expected to be confirmed in the summer.
City of Peterborough Swimming Club has been left without a home since the regional pool shut.Morgan Stevenson from the club said it was "thrilled" by the announcement both for the club and the wider community.Leader of the council, Dennis Jones, described the announcement as "fantastic" and said the council would work "at pace" on the business case before it was submitted to the government.
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