Approval given for new leisure centre in Waddon
By Nikki Jarvis
nikki.jarvis@essnmedia.co.uk
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THE FUTURE: How the leisure centre will look
It has been a marathon wait for residents but after five years of promises a new leisure centre for Waddon finally looks like being delivered.
The facility, complete with swimming pool, has been unanimously approved by Croydon Council's planning committee.
With approval secured building work will start in the summer and the finished centre will be open to the public by late 2012.
The leisure centre will include a 25-metre swimming pool with adjustable floors that will mean the whole pool can be transformed into one big shallow-end to allow twice as many kids to take part in lessons at one time.
There will also be a 13-metre learner pool, a four-court sports hall, a health and fitness suite, two studios for community hire and sports use, a café and a crèche.
A leisure centre was first proposed by the council's previous Labour administration in 2005 but a number of obstacles have hindered the scheme's progress.
But there now appears nothing to stop the project's completion and that has delighted Waddon councillor Clare Hilley, who spoke in favour of the proposals at last week's meeting.
She said: "I made a promise to residents when I was elected that the centre would be built and it's such a positive message that we have managed to overcome all the problems we faced even though we were in a recession.
"To know that it's finally going ahead is a great relief."
The centre will be located off the Purley Way next to the Fiveways junction alongside 170 new homes being built by developer Hyde.
The site was home to the Propeller pub and Waylands Day Centre.
Pupils at Waddon Infant School, who are currently at the site, will move in the summer to the new Aerodrome Primary, in Goodwin Road.
Local resident Peter Collier, 72, of Crowley Crescent, was at the planning meeting and is excited by what will be on offer when the centre opens.
He said: "I ride a bike but it will be great to exercise indoors in the warmth for a change.
"Overall it's going to be great for Waddon – our area has been somewhat deprived over the years but I think this will be fantastic for everyone.
"The site has been an eyesore for some time so the sooner it is finished the better."
7 Comments
by Kelly, Waddon
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 2:50PM
“Glad that this is finally going ahead, i'm looking forward to easy access to a swimming pool, and as it's for local residents, it will be a 10 minute walk from me, therefore eliminating the need to use a car at all”
by Edward, Royston Veysey
Sunday, February 07 2010, 10:34AM
“@ Alistair from Purley - This is a local pool for local people - there's nothing here for you.”
by Dean, mitchamkorfball.co.uk
Saturday, February 06 2010, 8:23PM
“Excellent news! Just a shame the sports hall wasn't bigger! Korfball - the worlds only mixed team ball sport!”
by Krystal, New Addington
Friday, February 05 2010, 8:42PM
“Anon, Croydon
Agree with your comments regarding the small-minded group of people who didn't think of the whole community and what the majority wanted. Good news though - as any Regeneration is now several years away - a sizeable amount of money is being used by the Council to bring the pool to see it through - not ideal but better than nothing.
Great news for residents of Waddon - sounds like it's well needed!”
by Alastair Davis, PURLEY
Friday, February 05 2010, 6:50PM
“My concern is how are you going to be able to park there? At the best of times that junction is packed with vehicles, are people just going to end up iin aqueu of traffic?”
by James Ashton, Waddon
Friday, February 05 2010, 9:56AM
“Having a swimming pool and full leisure centre in the area is fantastic news!”
by Anon, Croydon
Friday, February 05 2010, 9:17AM
“Well well well didn¿t waddon use to have a place called the water palace!!! This flopped in a big way so what makes them think this will work!! . seems a bit off to me as I hear the Addington pool may close because of some small minded people in new addington who opposed the new Tesco¿s development ( which would have included a new community centre, library, swimming pool, shop units, council offices and much more), the council stopped fixing the pool up because they thought a new one would be built but now because this looks like it has been shelved the pool is in a state of disrepair and surprise surprise the council may not have any cash to fix it up... let¿s hope that if the pool is built people use it”