A series of major improvement works get under way at Bishops Castle Arts and Leisure Centre this week as part of a significant investment in the facilities.
The swimming pool at SpArC in Bishop’s Castle
The refurbishment includes two projects: a decarbonisation initiative and a pool refurbishment.
The decarbonisation project will replace the aging and expensive to run oil-fired boiler with an all-electric heating system, significantly reducing carbon emissions by 70% and lowering running costs.
Essential repairs to the building’s roof and the installation of easy access steps will feature in the pool refurbishment, making the facility more accessible, especially for older people, families with babies and toddlers and the disabled.
The cost of these two important improvements is expected to cost £3.939 million, with funding coming from many different sources including:
- £2.454 million from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
- £680,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)*.
- £505,000 from the council’s capital repairs budget.
- £250,000 donated by the Trustees of the Bishop’s Castle Save the SpArC charity. which has been raised by the local community.
Cllr James Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for leisure, said: “
“I am delighted how this project has been driven by such brilliant local support and fundraising, and enabled through partnership working between various groups and Shropshire Council. This really is a model of how we wish to go on with our community facilities, not just protecting them but enhancing them with local partnerships.”
Ruth Houghton, Shropshire’s Councillor for Bishop’s Castle, added:
“This is wonderful news for Bishop’s Castle and South West Shropshire.
At the end of this project Bishop’s Castle will have a pool that will be more cost effective to operate and accessible for all”
“Our small local community has really stepped up to support the leisure centre and swimming pool by raising thousands of pounds to keep the centre open and to make improvements to it. The swimming pool was originally built by public subscription just over 50 years ago. It first opened in 1974 and was a huge success and has served the community well during this time. This pool project has been made possible by this same community support and commitment to securing local services in Bishop’s Castle for residents across South West Shropshire”
Heather Kidd, trustee and Leader of Shropshire Council added:
“This is such a good example of how housing development money (CIL), grant funding and the local community rising to the challenge can make such a difference. I am proud to be a trustee.”
About CIL
*CIL money refers to funds collected by local authorities in England and Wales through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a charge on new development projects. Developers pay this levy to fund local infrastructure and services, such as roads, health facilities, and schools, that are needed to support the new development and communities. A portion of the CIL collected in a specific neighbourhood is also reinvested there, as a response to the increased development in that area.
To find out more, read the Cabinet report here:
https://shropshire.gov.uk/committee-services/documents/s42133/Bishops%20Castle%20Arts%20and%20Leisure%20Centre.pdf
Following the news that work on the pool refurbishment project was about to begin, the centre has received a number of specific questions about the new pool and have tried to answer all of those in the Q and A below.
The new pool has been made possible by an incredible community fundraising effort, which in turn unlocked significant additional funding.
As a local charity dedicated to supporting the SpArC centre, our priority has been to ensure that the new pool serves the needs of the local community. This means a focus on teaching children to be confident in the water and to develop their swimming skill; encouraging families to swim together; and enabling adults, including people with disabilities, to swim to support their health and fitness.
With this in mind, we took professional advice on the most appropriate pool depth, and it was agreed that 1.5m would meet the requirements of the overwhelming majority of users in the Bishop’s Castle catchment area, as well as making the heating costs more sustainable. The one thing it cannot be used for is diving.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
Will swimmers still be able to use the flippers during swim lessons?
Yes, no problem
Will aqua aerobics still be viable at 1.5m?
Absolutely, in the new Whitchurch pool it is offered at 1.2m depth.
What about advanced swimmers?
Beyond Primary school, swimmers can build their stamina and skills through ‘Learn to Swim’ Stages 8 – 10.
Regrettably, the 20m length of the SpArC pool makes it unsuitable for club-level swimming.
Will diving and jumping in be viable?
Jumping is viable but diving will be no more permitted than it has been in the old pool.
Will they still be able to teach the Rookie Lifeguard Qualification?
This is a lifesaving qualification for those age 8 – 12.
The new National Lifesaving Academy is replacing it, and SpArC swimmers will be able to develop their lifesaving skills up to Bronze Medallion level.
From September 2026, NLA will be built into ‘Learn to Swim’ stages 6 and 7
Will lifeguard training sessions need to be re-located elsewhere? Lifeguarding is really valuable here.
The NPLQ professional lifeguarding qualification will be on offer at age 16+.
Will lifeguards still be able to complete their required deep-water training?
All entries / rescues which require ‘deep water’ will remain applicable.
Is it correct that the pool will be shorter as well as shallower? Not unless you know something we don’t!
Could you be a bit clearer on the swimming lesson direct debits please? Do we need to cancel or will they be paused?
SCLT reduced February charges by 50% and will freeze until the pool reopens. Customers are asked not to cancel direct debits as that would incur a charge if cancelled at the bank. As the pool closed early due to the boiler failure, anything missed during the additional closure period will also be refunded.
