Cheshire East Council is to seek a developer to revitalise the Crewe swimming pool site as part of its ambitious plans to regenerate Crewe.
And the Council’s preference is for proposals that would retain the current building’s classic Art Deco façade.
The swimming pool will be relocated to the new purpose-built lifestyle centre in Crewe town centre in spring 2016. This leaves the current 1.154-acre public swimming pool and gymnasium site surplus to requirements and a drain on taxpayers to maintain. The Council has therefore decided to sell the site.
The lifestyle centre is a flagship Council project that will provide an impressive range of leisure and community facilities, including an eight-lane 25m pool and top-class fitness suite accessible for everybody in the community.
The marketing process is expected to begin shortly after the Council has formally approved the redevelopment strategy to enable a smooth transition to the new use as soon as possible following the swimming pool re-location.
The Council is seeking to maintain the historic architecture of the town where possible and will therefore be encouraging proposals that retain the existing Locally Listed building or its landmark 1930s façade.
The Council will actively seek proposals from interested parties who can meet this aspiration while also providing a viable use to complement the immediate area, current planning policy and needs of the local community.
It is expected that any redevelopment will enable investment to boost the local public amenities, especially the neighbouring Council-owned children’s playground and park.
Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of regeneration and assets, said: “This Council is committed to improving the living environment, leisure offer and public amenities in Crewe and is investing heavily to deliver a town centre that is worthy of its local residents.
“Clearly, if it is possible and economically viable, we would favour a redevelopment that could preserve the historic pool building façade. However, we have to balance this aspiration with getting the best amenities for local people and ensuring a development that is viable.
“Our commitment to Crewe and its people has seen us already secure millions of pounds of investment for the town centre through the new Lifestyle Centre and the university technical college, which will both open in 2016.
“There is also the prospect of significant investment and growth should Crewe be selected for a new HS2 North West gateway rail hub.
“We are keen to work with developers in Flag Lane who share our vision for Crewe. It is our passionate belief that we can forge a role for the town that is based on it being a vibrant and attractive destination for people to spend quality leisure time together.”
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