The plans have advanced, with the council recently endorsing the Aquatic Facility Plan. The plan will help guide and progress the establishment of a leisure and aquatic ‘district level’ centre to incorporate expanded facilities that will meet the needs of the community, offering better learn to swim and warm water exercise programmes, for example.
Webinars and surveys were held last year as part of a community consultation process to aid the plan's development. This step often involves a flyer printing campaign to alert residents to the opportunity to provide feedback.
Steve Staikos, the Mayor of Kingston, said the needs of future generations, as well as today's residents, will be met by the new centre, adding:
“Aquatic facilities are extremely valuable for the community boosting the health and wellbeing of all ages, and also providing essential water safety education and a social gathering place for families and friends to come together.”
Staikos said rigorous planning is required to ensure the facility, which represents a substantial investment for the council, is delivered well.
Investigations are currently underway regarding prospective sites for the leisure and aquatic centre, according to the mayor. These will then be narrowed down and assessed in more detail, followed by the determination of the planning process, a step that will also involve the facility design.