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Local Swimming Pool - Trevor Maroney (21st Nov 2012 - 09:58:34) Should we have our own local swimming pool? In a recent Parish Plan Youth Survey 68% of all respondents to this question said YES. What do you think? If you agree where should it be located and should it be incorporated in a modern Sports and Leisure Centre? To make your views known why not attend a public meeting on the need for new sports facilities in Liphook. The meeting will take place in the Liphook Social Club, Headley Road on Thursday 29th November at 7.30 pm. Trevor Maroney Treasurer BLPP

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Nicole S (21st Nov 2012 - 10:19:21) I think in all fairness it would be nice but we have two in Petersfield, two in Bordon and 1 in Haselmere. There are plently of pools in the area.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Trevor Maroney (21st Nov 2012 - 10:53:55) Fine if you can drive or have access to transport. What do the youngsters and those without cars do? Should there be a swimming pool at Bohunt?

Re: Local Swimming Pool - h (21st Nov 2012 - 11:14:32) Who would pay for this? who would pay for the upkeep and maintenance? The cost to the local authorities would be enormous and they already subsidise the ones in Bordon and Haslemere which are both within a reasonable distance from us.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Susie (21st Nov 2012 - 11:25:58) Yes, we do have several in our area but the the rising cost of petrol I would welcome one in Liphook that my children and I could walk to. Currently I pay for swimming lessons in Petersfield ( my boys being able to swim confidently is very important and it provides a vent for their surplus energy) is but it would make a big difference to my monthly budget if I didn't have to take the car, extra money I could spend in the village on cakes from the bakery or bens ice cream mostly but also on meals out or even going swimming more often. We currently have good sports facilities at Bohunt, but I wasnt aware of the extent of these until my son went there. Linking the two threads, my eldest used to play rugby but has had to stop as it clashed with my youngests football training. He also couldn't do it at Bohunt as it was over subscribed. Swimming however, - The older generations I'm sure would particularly welcome it as a gentle form of excercise, no public transport needed. - The local schools could use it instead of paying for busses needed to currently give children their compulsory swimming lessons. - More of the money we currently spend in other communities would remain locally; holding birthday parties, swimming galas, getting food after swimming, - The teenagers would have somewhere else to go, a place that is supervised. There really isn't enough for them to do and keep busy. - Swimming lessons are heavily oversubscribed in many of the pools. Highfield are full, The Herons was full for stage 1, beginners. - It would provide jobs for a range of age groups. Give me a couple of hours and I could probably come up with more reasons. I will try to get to the meeting.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - liz (21st Nov 2012 - 13:26:19) Two key issues. 1) Funding. (As someone has already mentioned). Liphook has a huge wish list of things it would like on its doorstep! I'm not sure how a pool could be funded but no doubt we would pay through our Council Tax in the end. I understood the Medical Centre was a priority 2) Where would you put it?

Re: Local Swimming Pool - H (21st Nov 2012 - 16:05:46) Obviously it would be convenient to be able to have a subsidised pool in Liphook but the authorities are cutting essential services for the disabled and elderly and with police funding also scarce leisure is not top of the agenda at present. The only likely route would be encouragement of a private facility and we have two members pools already in Liphook.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Trevor Maroney (22nd Nov 2012 - 15:52:23) Whilst you both make valid points, do not be hidebound by funding constraints otherwise nothing will ever get done. We are planning the future and, as such, all ideas should be considered at this stage. These will all be recorded and recommendations made in the report. Those recommendations that might be achievable will then be incorporated into the first Parish Plan - a live and evolving document that will be reviewed probably on a 5 yearly basis. What cannot be achieved now may be possible in the future when the economy turns round. The key, at this stage, is to keep an open mind, and see what others might think. I assure you, the planning team are certainly in listening mode.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - tony (22nd Nov 2012 - 22:26:17) Perhaps it could be funded or at least part funded by some of the many developers who are, will be or have been building all around. The UK may have the lowest birth rate in the modern world and has done for some time(so who are all the extra housing estates for?) but perhaps Liphook is becoming one of the places people wanting to start families are fleeing to. This coupled with a fast growing elderly population are just 2 reasons why a swimming pool would be a massive benefit to the growing community. That and some safe cycle routes along the main routes (ie Haslemere Road wher you presently wouldn't let your kids near).

Re: Local Swimming Pool - andy (23rd Nov 2012 - 18:38:47) obviously the people talking about a swimming pool in liphook have not lived in the village for long. as a lot of money was raised for one in the eighties and to be located at bohunt. the money has since disappeared and no pool.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Matt (24th Nov 2012 - 10:20:54) I\'d support a pool for Liphook under the right circumstances. Ignoring the sunk costs, swimming pools by themselves fail to recoup running costs. If the pool is part of a larger development there\'s a better chance of making it a going concern. Other sports facilities are a common inclusion but conference facilities, retail and office premises are other options. Careful consideration is needed about what type of pool we require (teaching, training, competition, leisure or a combination). I\'d argue the best fit is a community pool 25mx10m, the minimum length to attract lap swimmers and clubs looking for more pool time and an appropriate width for teaching and aqua fit. The depth would preferably be variable at the shallow end to aid those with disabilities by creating a \'beach\' entry. This is a flavor for of the issues to consider and I\'d be happy to help having been involved in swimming for 20 years.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - anne (24th Nov 2012 - 11:52:37) My family and I have lived in Liphook for many years and can remember a lot of money being donated by parents and people in Liphook for a swimming pool which never was built. Perhaps that money was invested somewhere and forgotton about but now would be a good time if anyone knows about it to come forward with the information to assist with the expense of the pool which is being discussed on Talkback today.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Jackie (24th Nov 2012 - 16:57:38) Indeed, I remember this well, an ex-army building from Bordon was purchased and the steel structure was brought to Bohunt and left ready to re-assemble for the intended pool. The fund was called 'Splash' and there were t-shirts printed and everything! ex-Bohuntonians from the early 80's will remember it well. This was when Alan Leech was the headteacher.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Al (24th Nov 2012 - 17:21:38) There was a subscription scheme, we all pledged or paid so much and were going to get reduced priced swimming. The reason it wasn't built I believe was because the Council could not guarantee to have a qualified life guard available during opening times.

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Michael (24th Nov 2012 - 20:59:13) If i remember rightly the funds were transferred to Bohunt and were used to finance the Squash courts!

Re: Local Swimming Pool - Diane (25th Nov 2012 - 17:43:47) Michael is right. I was on the comittee. A lot of hard work raising monies. Some money I believe was offered back to some doners and the rest went to fund a squash court at bohunt .

Re: Local Swimming Pool - jenny (26th Nov 2012 - 15:01:08) Everyone is right who refer to their being money raised for a pool in the eighties. Like everyone else, I can't remember the detail, but a proposed pool was squashed because of the huge cost involved in 1) manpower 2) upkeep and ONGOING upkeep including the day to day costs of heating etc. It was then decided that with facilities in Petersfield, Haslemere and Bordon it would not be feasible. Also, now some of the local private schools now offer swimming lessons at weekends and holidays, not just for their own pupils. My grandchildren have had wonderful swimming lessons at Highfield School (Liphook) in the holidays in the past. Perhaps Old Thorns could be persuaded to give local residents a reasonable discount to join theirs?

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