Academy pushes ahead with £3.7m swim plan

After a delay of three years, a Sleaford school is pressing ahead with detailed plans for a £3.7m swimming pool it is hoped will be ready by 2018.
A view of how the outside of the new pool at St george's Academy would look. EMN-160628-101459001A view of how the outside of the new pool at St george's Academy would look. EMN-160628-101459001
A view of how the outside of the new pool at St george's Academy would look. EMN-160628-101459001

St George’s Academy governors have announced their latest plans for the Sleaford Campus, having submitted a scheme to North Kesteven District Council on Monday to build a six-lane, 25-metre competition swimming pool with fitness suite.

The £3.7m project will be funded from Academy capital reserves and will provide a ‘world-class facility’ for staff, students and the local community, says the school.

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Principal Wayne Birks said: “We have spent the last two years completing St George’s Academy Ruskington campus and this has now been transformed into an excellent learning environment for students and staff.

The fitness suite proposed. EMN-160628-101514001The fitness suite proposed. EMN-160628-101514001
The fitness suite proposed. EMN-160628-101514001

“Governors are now looking to further enhance the Sleaford campus with plans for a competition swimming pool, a provision not available in the local area. The competition element is important, as it will have seating.

“The plans have been in the pipeline for several years, but after many months of careful work considering designs, working with the Amateur Swimming Association and other pool experts, governors have given the go-ahead.

“Our vision is to ensure that all Academy students can swim and, by early 2018, we hope to have brought that vision to reality.”

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He said the school had looked at changes to government funding and made sure the scheme was fully costed: “If approved it will be a massive benefit to the academy and the local area,” he said.

How the new pool would look. EMN-160628-101526001How the new pool would look. EMN-160628-101526001
How the new pool would look. EMN-160628-101526001

The Academy also says the proposed swimming pool and fitness suite will respond to future development needs in the Sleaford area, opening up to primary schools and clubs.

The pool could be completed by early 2018 and designs have been drawn up by a former pupil of the school.

The plans were first proposed in 2013 under previous principal Paul Watson with completion due by 2014.