SWIMMERS in Coventry can dive into the city’s new 50m pool this month.
Coventry City Council said: “The city’s newest sporting attraction will be welcoming its first swimmers on Monday February 24.
“It will join The Wave waterpark, Go Ape at Coombe Abbey, and Footgolf at the War Memorial Park as Coventry builds on the legacy of its year as European City of Sport and builds towards its role as UK City of Culture next year, when it will welcome thousands of visitors.”
The £13.5m pool has been built at The Alan Higgs Centre and has been funded by Coventry City Council and Sport England.
Special features of the pool include the moving floor that can be raised to deck level and be lowered all the way to two metres. It can be divided into smaller sections using a boom, making it suitable for all events including swimming lessons and galas, while also being suitable for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
A pool pod to hoist users with disabilities is available along with fully accredited Changing Places facilities.
The opening of the £13.5m pool is part of a wider development of The Alan Higgs Centre that also includes the renovation of the gym, the new and updated health suite, function room and the new 3G pitches that opened last year.
Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “I’m really pleased to see the pool will be opening soon. It will be another fantastic sporting asset to the city and our communities along with a great legacy from our wonderful year as European City of Sport.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the pool full of people enjoying themselves.”
The pool will be open to the public on a pay-as-you-go basis or people can sign up for a Lifestyles membership and enjoy unlimited access.
The pool will be used by Coventry Swimming Club and is also available for private booking for clubs and events.
Paul Breed, Chief Executive for CV Life, said: “The opening of the new 50 metre pool signifies the completion of the ‘sporting village’ at The Alan Higgs Centre.
“We have put so much time and effort into creating the perfect place for our customers to get involved in a multitude of wellbeing and physical activities. We have now mastered that with the new health suite – also opening on 24 February – our 3G multi-purpose indoor and outdoor pitches, refurbished and expanded function room and changing facilities, the newly renovated state-of-the-art gym and of course the 50m pool.
“We are all really looking forward to the opening day and seeing people enjoy our new facilities.”
The pool is located at the back of the Alan Higgs on the site of the old 3G pitch and is surrounded by a large seating area with a capacity of 500 people.
Swimming lessons with Aquarius Swim School are now available to book at The Alan Higgs Centre with lessons commencing on 2 March 2020.
The first public swim will take place 7am, Monday 24 February. Timetables are available to view online.
