Whitchurch Pool and Fitness centre project manager and Shropshire Council Leader Lezley Picton enjoyed a tour of the new facilities Shropshire councillors and the local media got a sneak peek of the new Whitchurch Swimming and Fitness Centre today (25 February 2025) before the it opens to the public to use on Wednesday 19 March 2025 The state-of-the-art centre was getting a few last-minute tweaks as Robert Macey Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital and Peter Gilbertson “This is a fantastic new centre and I’m sure that it will soon become the heart of the community “There will be a range of top-quality facilities including a six-lane 25m pool a 41-station fitness suite and multi-function rooms “Every aspect of the centre has been cleverly designed and carefully considered The colours used inside were specifically chosen reflect the local countryside in North Shropshire but also make it easier for partially-sighted people to distinguish the different areas The changing village cubicles provide a safer changing experience with direct supervision from poolside “We also have a moveable floor which allows the pool depth to be varied to accommodate different uses a pool pod for wheelchair access and easy access steps to ensure everyone can benefit from using the new pool.” it will have taken just 12 months from the demolition of the previous centre to its grand opening in March “Despite taking so little time for a project of this size and the range of facilities on offer will cater to all members of our community It’s testament to our commitment to providing high-quality leisure services and promoting a healthy lifestyle for our residents “We very much look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to use this fantastic new facility from 19 March 2025 the doors will be open before then to allow people to look around whist the final fitting and staff training is taking place and hopefully sign up for membership.” Shropshire Council local councillor Tom Biggins added:- “Local people are getting their swimming costumes ready in anticipation of Whitchurch opening one of the nicest swimming pools in the country use leisure facilities or just want a cup of coffee please come and make use of this wonderful building in our town.” The new facility is expected to attract visitors from nearby regions boosting economic growth with the creation of 25 jobs and creating new opportunities for local businesses five local primary schools will benefit from the centre providing essential swimming lessons and promoting physical activity among young students Already more than 100 children have been signed up for swimming lessons The centre will be managed by the Shropshire Community Leisure Trust and Serco who also operate several other leisure centres on behalf of Shropshire Council Members of the public will have the opportunity to visit the centre in the week before the official opening to take a tour around the centre and to sign up for memberships To find out more, people can visit the centre’s website here: Welcome | Whitchurch Swimming & Fitness Centre Email: communications@shropshire.gov.uk Phone: 01743 252826 Email: customer.service@shropshire.gov.uk Phone: 0345 678 9000 Shropshire Council’s Cabinet has today (12 February 2025) agreed to commit up to £4m within the council’s capital strategy towards the repair or rebuilding of Whitchurch Civic Centre – and agreed to an urgent ‘needs analysis’ to ensure that the future configuration of centre meets the needs of local people The centre has been closed since September 2023 – except for the sports/market hall – after specialist engineers found that RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) exists across the majority of the Civic Centre complex At their meeting today Cabinet was asked to identify £4m into the council’s capital strategy that can be used for: Following a consultation held last year a working group set up to consider the future of the building carried out a feasibility study into the two most popular options – to either repair or replace the centre The working group is made up of local Shropshire Councillors Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing and assets “We know the importance of the Civic Centre to Whitchurch and to people who live in and around the town and  I’m delighted that Cabinet has agreed to identify up to £4m of capital funding to help bring the Centre back into use Whether this means a new roof or a complete rebuild will now depend on whether the working group and external partners can secure the additional Government or other external funding that a rebuild would require “And before any work takes place the needs analysis will enable us to establish what facilities and services the people of Whitchurch and the surrounding area want and need This will help ensure that the Centre best meets the need of the town and that it is a viable and fit for purpose facility for years to come.” Whitchurch Town Council working group members Councillor Andy Hall “We are delighted to have reached this point which is testament to the effort and determination displayed by the Civic Centre working group – and we hope it gives further impetus to finding the best and We also thank Shropshire Council’s Cabinet for their foresight in considering the importance of the building as a vital asset within our community we have received opinion from small groups who previously used the Centre to varying degrees – however a full which extends the results of the initial public consultation will give an opportunity for everyone to have a voice in shaping the future of the Civic Centre take some time – but it is an important step in Whitchurch Town Council’s future management of a revitalised facility which will meet the future needs of our residents in the most appropriate way.” The feasibility study work carried out so far work has also included looking at how the centre can be economically and efficiently run and managed in the future by Whitchurch Town Council Shropshire Council has announced the date Whitchurch’s new library premises will open to the public at Unit C The library will open for visitors on Thursdays and Fridays in the first instance with longer opening hours expected from March 2025 Whitchurch library was closed when RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) was identified in part of The Civic Centre complex in 2023 interim library arrangements have been in place in The Civic Centre sports hall in the form of a book pick-up and drop off service is now a modern and accessible arcade featuring a variety of retail units Unit C is a temporary solution whilst the council continues to explore options for a permanent library location alongside considerations for the future of the civic centre Shropshire Council’s Cabinet Member for culture “We are in the final stages of setting up the new library space in St Mary’s Arcade and are greatly looking forward to welcoming visitors from the middle of February Thank you to the Whitchurch library staff for keeping the service going at the sports hall and for Whitchurch residents who have been supportive whilst the search was underway.” Local Councillors for Whitchurch said in a joint statement: “We would like to thank the whole team involved with getting a library back in our town Our residents will be really pleased that this valuable resource will back on the high street once again the driver we have all been working towards.” Keep up to date with the latest from Whitchurch library Whitchurch Library | Shropshire Council