What’s the problem?

As you are no doubt aware, the old Ellesmere Port and Neston Council had planned to replace the aging EPIC leisure centre and set aside, ring fenced, monies to meet the costs of providing a first class sports facility for the borough.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has committed to replacing the EPIC, CWaC plan to construct a new Sports Village at Cheshire Oaks and it was expected that a 50 metre competition pool would be included. However, CWaC has now unveiled preliminary plans for the construction of the Sports Village and it is not good news. The current outline proposals for the complex do not include a 50 metre pool nor some of the other facilities that we all expected.

CWaC’s preliminary plans are on the www.investinellesmereport.co.uk  website.

The proposals do include an 8 lane 25 metre pool which it is claimed would be “suitable for competitions” and includes a relatively small spectator area. There is a small teaching pool which again has a limited spectator area.
The plans show little poolside area for swimmers and officials and would not be suited to competition. If anyone has attended the annual primary schools gala at EPIC you will know how much space is required to accommodate 200+ swimmers and teachers.
However, this proposal is not yet confirmed and we understand that there is a realistic possibility that the proposals could change either for better or worse.
Ellesmere Port ASC has been holding meetings with City of Chester swimming Club in order that a sound plan can be put forward showing how the provision of a 50 metre pool would offer greater flexibility in use and increased participation. We have a once in a lifetime chance of ensuring children in the extended council area have access to a first class facility.
We have also canvassed support from Chester Tri Club and the disabled swimming club AQUADIS.
What would the Clubs like?
The Ideal proposal being put forward is for a 50 metre competition pool at the Sports Village. To allow water polo and possibly synchronised swimming to be undertaken the Pool would require moveable floor.
There needs to be adequate space on the pool apron to accommodate 250+ swimmers in competition events. The spectator facilities need to allow seating for 400, this will enable higher level swim meets and water polo matches to be hosted.
WHY this capacity pool? Currently there is not a pool within Ellesmere Port nor Chester suitable for registered / licenced competition. The length of the main pool at the EPIC is 33.3 metres and City Baths in Chester is 25yards.
The present requirements for competition are either short course (25metres) or long course (50 metres)
The result of this is that both Clubs can no longer hold competitions enabling swimmers to gain times for County level and above, swimmers have to compete at other venues to achieve this.
Provision of the 50 metre pool will provide long course training for squad swimmers aiding in their development and raising performance levels.
It will also provide deep water training for water polo or synchronised swimming.

Why build at Stanney Sports Village?

The simple answer is that of access, with the major motorway junction for M53 & M56 close by ease of travel locally and from Cheshire, North Wales and Merseyside sets the location apart from all others. Why else did M&S build here? A first class facility with first class access!
What is the Club doing?
The Club is working with Chester Swimming Club and Chester Triathlon Club to campaign for CWaC to build a 50 metre competition pool at the Sports Village. We have has set up a website for the campaign at www.sinkorswim.org.uk and a meeting has been held with the Ellesmere Port and Neston MP, Andrew Miller.
What do we need you to do?
The proposals for the new Sports Village are now open to public consultation, which ends on 30 November 2012 (i.e. very soon!).
To safeguard the Club’s future and ability to stage competitions, we need as many people as possible to complete the consultation questionnaire and make it clear to Cheshire West and Chester Council that another leisure pool is not needed and that a deep competition standard pool with spectator facilities is absolutely vital (and could also generate some useful income for the Sports Village and surrounding area).
Public consultation is an important process and our views have to be taken into account by CWaC. You do not have to live in the Cheshire West area to complete the questionnaire and they can be anonymous. The questionnaire can be completed by anyone and everyone, including children. If there are 5 people living at your house, there can be 5 separate questionnaires submitted.
The Clubs need each person to do the following please:
Ensure you and everyone at your house, including children, completes a questionnaire.
2. Ask all your friends, family, school mates, neighbours, work colleagues, etc, etc to complete the questionnaire. Spread the word.
3. Make sure this all takes place before 30 November 2012.

The questionnaire can be completed online and there is a link to it from the Clubs websites  www.cocsc.co.uk. www.sinkorswim.org.uk. If you cannot complete the questionnaire online, the Clubs will be only too happy to provide extra copies of the blank form and furthermore, you can return the questionnaire to a Club and we will make sure it is forwarded on.
There is no time to waste and your help is very much appreciated.
Thank you.