Swimmers will be driven out of Harrow

7:23am Friday 18th January 2008

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A TOP coach believes Harrow's new leisure centre will drive swimmers out of Harrow.

Bill Stokes, chief coach at Harrow and Wealdstone Swimming Club, said: "It seems madness to me, with the Olympics so near, instead of building adequate pools they are being shut down. Harrow Council is the worst offender."

The council has announced plans to build a £36m leisure centre in Christchurch Avenue, Harrow.

The plans include a 25-metre pool, which is significantly shorter than the current 33-and-a-half metre pool.

Mr Stokes believes swimmers will leave the club, which is based at the leisure centre, if the council continues with its plans.

He said: "If we have to squash into a 25-metre pool, it will be horrendous.

"When Hillingdon opens its 50-metre pool, we will lose our top swimmers and who can blame them?

"Who would want to swim in a small pool where there is not enough space when you can go to a bigger and better one?"

The club has more than 300 members, including nationally and internationally recognised swimmers.

Mr Stokes, who was not consulted on the leisure centre plans before they were announced, fears the swimmers will go to Hillingdon Council's new Olympic standard pool, in Park Road, Uxbridge, when it opens.

He urged Harrow Council to consider reopening the disused outdoor pool on the leisure centre site.

He said: "We have a 50-metre pool lying empty next door.

"We have had people prepared to back us and the money in place to refurbish it, but the council doesn't want to give us the land for whatever reason.

"The council is missing a golden opportunity and it is the kids that are ultimately going to suffer."