Plans for new hydrotherapy pool for city

The new pool will be part of the plans to relocate Heltwate Special School, and will replace the St George’s Hydrotherapy Pool in Dogsthorpe Road. It has not been revealed where in the city the new pool will be located.

Councillor John Holdich, Leader of Peterborough City Council said: “We are delighted to confirm that there will be a brand new community hydrotherapy pool in Peterborough that we aim to have open by September 2019. The current pool is well loved and used by a growing number of residents but is rapidly reaching the end of it’s life.

“We will be working closely with the pool’s steering and user groups to design a modern facility for the wider community. This is part of a wider plan to relocate Heltwate Special School to a new site in the city with extra pupil places and modern facilities, which will include the new pool.

“We are currently in discussions with the landowner of our preferred site for the school and we hope to be able to announce further details in the near future.”

The current pool has been out of action all week after a serious structural problem was discovered. The pool has been drained while a solution is found - but it is not known when it will open again.

A Peterborough City Council spokesman said: “A potentially serious structural issue has been identified with the building and needs immediate further investigation. Peterborough City Council takes the safety and well-being of its staff and visitors as a matter of the highest priority, and until this can be guaranteed it has taken the decision to close the pool.”