Swimming pool set for huge refurbishment at school where JLS star was a pupil

The ‘ageing’ swimming pool was built in the 1970s

New details have been revealed for a multi-million pound upgrade set to take place on a city centre swimming pool. In July, Peterborough City Council approved £794,000 of funding to help towards a major refurbishment of the Jack Hunt swimming pool in Netherton.

This funding will contribute towards the £3.8 million refurbishment of the “ageing” pool, which was built in the 1970s. The Keys Academies Trust, which oversees Jack Hunt School where JLS star Aston Merrygold went to school, has now submitted plans for the pool upgrade.

The purpose of the plans is to provide a “purpose-built fitness suite alongside improved changing facilities”. The plans added: “The development encourages physical activity for pupils whilst also making the facilities available for community use outside school hours, extending health benefits beyond the school population.”

The applicant also believes the upgrade represents a “sustainable development by improving existing educational and sporting facilities within an established school campus.”

As part of the upgrade, the applicants propose to change the inside of the existing changing facilities to improve the layout and functionality in accordance with Sport England guidelines.

The other proposals are:

• Erection of a first-floor extension above the existing changing facilities to provide a new fitness suite over both floors;
• Installation of new windows and doors to the existing single-storey building;
• Re-cladding of the existing single-storey building to complement the proposed extension and reflect the appearance of more recent additions across the school campus;
• Associated external hard landscaping works to match existing.

The extension is proposed to be a two-storey building, with the roof extending from the established sports hall.

The fitness suite will be accessed through the existing school campus. However, for the public it will be accessed via the main school reception.

The reception area will be managed until 9.30pm. Parking on the school site and access from Bradwell Road will stay the same.