Children from Swim Sunderland's 'learn to swim' programme - who could be the City's next Olympians - will feature in information and publicity to keep the public informed while the swimming pool and state-of-the-art Sunderland Wellness Centre is being built.

Aaron Liu, age 7 from Millfield, Samuel Blower, age 5 from Cleadon, Leya Chisenga, age 6 from Pallion and Blane Hodgson, age 7 from Whitburn were given a preview of the site today by Council Leader, Bob Symonds.

Councillor Bob Symonds said: "The 50m pool will inspire, enthuse and nurture not only our talented youngsters but also those who enjoy swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. We are delighted that we have the best facility of its kind for elite sportsmen and women, but our prime aim throughout is to ensure that it is the best facility of its kind for local people."

"The development of the pool is a tremendous facility for our young swimmers, any of whom could be the next Olympians, and indeed for talented young athletes across the region.

"Our aim is to make sure we keep people informed throughout the duration of the development, starting with some of our youngest swimmers who will feature in information and publicity to help publicise the development of the pool over the coming months."

The project includes construction of the regional 50m swimming pool, built to Olympic standards, and a state-of-the-art Sunderland Wellness Centre. North East based international architects, Red Box Design Group, developed the scheme as part of a consulting team, including ARUP and Davis Langdon and Balfour Beatty has been appointed as the contractor to build the £19.8m development.

The flagship pool will be the only one of its kind between Leeds and Edinburgh and will provide much needed facilities for the whole of Sunderland and the wider region, including:
- A 25m wide main pool with 10 lanes, a moveable floor and moveable boom to allow maximum flexibility of use.
- A 25m wide multi-purpose diving tank with moveable floor and a variety of double width diving boards.
- Seating for 500 spectators.

The excellent facilities offered by the City's 50m pool mean that it will act as a regional hub for performance swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo as well as attracting high profile national and regional competitions to Sunderland.

The pool will be very much a community pool providing facilities for local school and nurturing young talent across the region. It could also be offered as a training base for swimmers competing in the 2012 London Olympics.

A state-of-the-art Sunderland Wellness Centre will be attached to the 50m pool development to increase participation in exercise and encourage communities, through support and learning to choose a healthy lifestyle. The Wellness Centre will be part of a network of six other located across the City that will deliver integrated health services in partnership with the Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust.

The project has been funded by Sunderland City Council, Sport England, European Regional Development Fund, One North East, TyneWear Partnership, Sunderland arc and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

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last updated 25/03/08