The next generation of Nottingham Olympic swimmers are training at the newly refurbished Harvey Hadden Sports Complex in Bilborough.
The refurbishment comes as part of a £16 million refurbishment by Nottingham City Council’s ambitious Transformation Programme to modernise City leisure centre facilities to meet the needs of local communities.
The pool will take over as Beechdale Leisure Centre closes its doors to the public on 28 August.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said: “People will have fond memories of Beechdale and many will have learnt to swim there but it’s time to look ahead to a new era”.
Beechdale has played its part in the success stories of Olympic Gold Medallist Rebecca Adlington and Paralympic Gold Medallists Sam and Ollie Hynd, but as one of the oldest leisure facilities owned by the City Council, it no longer meets the needs and expectations of customers.
Dave Trimble believes that Harvey Hadden Sports Village is an iconic facility that will put Nottingham on the map as the home of sport.
He said: “On the one hand we’ve got a venue that can host competitions at all levels including international events, but at its heart is a fantastic facility for the community to use and for grass roots sports to flourish”.
Video: Councillor, Dave Trimble says how Nottingham will benefit from the refurbishments.
The £16m redevelopment which includes £1.94m from Sport England’s Iconic Facilities Fund is the largest investment and final stage of Nottingham City Council’s Leisure Centre Transformation Programme to create fewer, better quality leisure facilities across the city.
State-of-the-art facilities include a 50m swimming pool with spectator area, new squash courts, gym, two multi-use activity studios, health suite, changing rooms and café as well as upgraded sports hall where multiple sports can be played.
The council is committed to increasing participation in disability sport; for disabled swimmers there are easy access pool steps, a poolside hoist and fully accessible Changing Places facility.
The venue will also be holding the World Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association’s World Games from 6-16 August, this year.
The event will attract athletes from 18 countries worldwide including Australia, Japan and Iceland.
