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Below are some of the many questions we are frequently asked about Broomhill Pool and the Trust itself.
BROOMHILL POOL OVERVIEW
Set in the woodlands of Broomhill Park, Broomhill Pool is the last remaining Olympic length lido in Suffolk & Norfolk.
Uniquely designed by the Borough Engineer in 1938, it has the region’s only deep water diving pit, underwater floodlighting, 5 diving boards, heated water to 70f (until the boilers were requisitioned in 1941), sun terraces, garden areas and a grandstand to hold 700 people. It is a Grade II Listed Building.
The pool was opened by George Underwood, the Mayor of Ipswich, on April 30th 1938. It is situated on the north-west side of Ipswich, with access from Sherrington Road.
BROOMHILL POOL – 2006 FEASIBILITY FINDINGS & PROPOSED PROJECT PLAN.
The pool was closed in 2002. The Friends of Broomhill Pool was immediately formed to campaign for its restoration, and became a charitable Trust in 2003. The Trust raised an 18,000 signature petition of support, successfully lobbied politicians on all sides, secured manifesto pledges, raised funds to conduct a £67,000 feasibility study (see project plan below), secured a £1,000,000 guarantee and the support of Ipswich Borough Council.
2006 FEASIBILITY FINDINGS
1) The Pool was constructed in ferro-concrete in the early days of the use of this material. It has developed structural problems that led Ipswich Borough Council to close it as unsafe in 2002.
2) It does not comply with the Disabled Access Act.
3) Its facilities are rundown and outdated.
4) Over the years the clock tower, the flood lighting, underwater lighting and the water heating boiler have been removed.
5) The catering facilities are limited.
6) There is no provision for education in water related activities or heritage on site.
2006 FEASIBILITY PROJECT PLAN
1) The restoration will restore the Pool to its original condition
2) The Pool water will be heated by solar panels and a CHP (combined heat and power) system.
3) Additionally it will provide full disabled access and enhanced catering facilities.
4) Because of subsidence, the North East Wing will be rebuilt as an education suite and exhibition space as well as changing rooms and locker space.
5) All construction will be carried out in a sustainable manner.
6) It will be operated by a not-for-profit sport trust under the supervision of The Broomhill Pool Trust, a registered charity.
WHAT IS THE BROOMHILL POOL TRUST ?
The Broomhill Pool Trust is a registered charity (No.1102659).
The Trust’s objective is to restore Broomhill Pool; the last remaining Olympic length, grade II listed lido in Suffolk & Norfolk for full public use.
The Trust's activities are to lobby, explore and liaise with Ipswich Borough Council and all interested parties to preserve Broomhill Pool for future generations.
WHY SAVE BROOMHILL POOL ?
Over 18,000 people signed the Trust's petition to save Broomhill Pool and there has been sustained on-going interest in the pool's future. An Ipswich Borough Council survey of all its swimming facilities in 2003: received over 1600 responses with a resounding 88% voting "saving Broomhill Pool" as their first choice. (The Angle - August 2003)
Broomhill Pool has been central to summer for over 60 years. It has a special appeal for children who are able to spend all day in the fresh air in attractive surroundings, in a safe, healthy environment. The pool building is one of the most attractive open air pools in Britain and has an unrivalled position on the edge of Broomhill Park; it was spot-lighted by the Twentieth Century Society in 2001 and is the only Olympic length open-air pool in Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk. In addition to its appeal to recreational swimmers, many local groups have used Broomhill for a wide range of water sports, including Life-Saving Training, Canoeing, Triathlon training, and Dinghy sailing. At 4.5 metres deep the pool offers Sub-Aqua divers the only deep water pit in Suffolk. We must ensure that this wonderful pool is saved from demolition and preserved for future generations.
DO SOME LOCAL RESIDENTS OPPOSE THE RE-OPENING OF BROOMHILL POOL ?
We believe the majority of local residents want to see the Pool restored, but we appreciate that some are deeply concerned about how the Pool will be regenerated and how it will impact the area. We know that there has been constant vandalism at the derelict site. The Trust’s belief was also that the pool had been systematically run down by the ruling council over several of the final years. Subsequently the family appeal of Broomhill - which had been a steadfast element for 60 years - began to wane. An un-supervised youth element in a run down facility is a recipe for disaster and we are well aware that there were examples of unsocial behaviour.
The Trust plan to eradicate the problem as follows:
• The Feasibility Study identified several flagship leisure operators who have expressed a firm interest in running a restored facility. The appointment of a top class leisure operator will involve rigorous scrutiny by both the Trust (as guardians of the pool) and Ipswich Borough Council (as owners). Security of the facility and supervision of youth will be key selection criteria.
• The pool will also be actively promoted as a family venue; and restored in a manner to promote family appeal.
• The Trust will continue to engage all views of the local community, police and council to promote community input over the redevelopment of the site.
• The fact is, that since closure, the pool has actually become an increased target for anti-social behaviour, graffiti and drugs.
• Whilst there is an element of risk in any facility that appeals to our youth, the Trust does not believe that the overwhelming majority of law abiding youth and their families should simply abandon parks, recreational areas or historic lidos because we fear a small element. In fact, we believe that a well run facility with family appeal and cultural development is exactly the right mix to offer Ipswich children.
IS BROOMHILL ELIGIBLE FOR LOTTERY FUNDING?
The restoration of Broomhill Pool would qualify for a variety of lottery and third party funding.
The 2006 Feasibility Study included a comprehensive evaluation of funding possibilities for restoration and/or operational costs.
There have also been three lidos have received substantial grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Brockwell Park Lido has now received the go-ahead for major changes and improvements to the buildings surrounding the pool area whilst Uxbridge Lido and Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham have had a "Refreshing Splash" from HLF: see HLF website - Media Centre.
DO IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANS FOR A NEW £24M INDOOR 50 METRE POOL AFFECT YOUR PLANS ?
Ipswich needs a 50 metre pool, not only for Team Ipswich club swimmers, but also the vast majority of us who enjoy the simple pleasure of swimming and wish to participate in healthy exercise. However, a far more cost effective and regionally important facility already exists.
Compared to “new builds”, Broomhill can be fully restored (including heated water using sustainable energy) in just 9 months (pre-Olympics), and for a modest sum ! A restored Broomhill Pool would not only provide excellent facilities for our small number of elite club swimmers but opportunities for people of all ages. For over 60 years it has been where the vast majority of greater Ipswich citizens and families learned to enjoy swimming as a pleasurable pursuit. It was an important social meeting place, a melting pot for youth, families, fitness enthusiasts and serious swimmers to spend pleasurable time.
We welcome enhanced facilities for Ipswich, we also welcome the government initiative to promote swimming and tackle obesity. In Ipswich we are extremely fortunate to be sitting on a cost effective, simple and obvious solution. One of just twelve grade 2 listed lidos left in the country, Broomhill is already “here and now”.
Generally, the Broomhill Pool Trust believes that Ipswich should become a regional centre of sporting excellence. Ipswich has a choice of excellent dry sports facilities at Maidenhall, Whitton, Northgate. There is Gainsborough with its newly opened Gymnastics centre and Copleston has its sports college. Yet three swimming pools have closed in recent times and the new complex is being promoted as an improved replacement for Crown Pools. In our view the need for a restored Broomhill is as strong as ever: the regions growing population demands more "water space" and the need to value all our Ipswich pools. Outdoor swimming offers a different experience, culture and enjoyment for the public and has proved to be a major tourist attraction in Cheltenham and a popular all-year-round facility at Hampton, Middlesex.
IS BROOMHILL POOL OLYMPIC SIZED ? CAN IT PLAY A ROLE FOR 2012 ?
Broomhill Pool exceeds Olympic length at 165' long - just over 50 metres in length; but it is only 60' wide and therefore does not meet modern standards for Olympic competitive swimming. It is, however, ideal for stamina and endurance training for any sporting discipline. We believe that due to its size, Broomhill offers our future Olympians an excellent training facility, particularly for events like the Triathlon. In 2010, Guildford Lido has received a £2m overhaul, reducing the pool from 55 yards to 50 metres. Guildford Lido is now reopen as a major liesure facility and tourist attraction for the town.
ANY OTHER RESONS FOR SAVING BROOMHILL POOL ? ?
For over 60 years Broomhill Pool was part of the fabric of Ipswich life; since it closed there has been a shortage of "water space" and the facility has been greatly missed. With plans for additional homes all over the town, rising levels of obesity (nationally) and increased anti-social behaviour there is a need for our young people to get more exercise and burn off surplus energy in a safe and supervised environment. Broomhill Pool has the potential to offer this environment to all who live, work in or visit Ipswich.
IS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN BROOMHILL POOL AND IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB (ITFC) ? What is the connection with Sir Charles Scott Sherrington OM ?
1) Local records (and research by John Eastwood & Tony Moyse in their superb 1986 official history of ITFC "The men who made the TOWN") reveal that the actual site of ITFC’s first game was at "Broom Hill"in 1878.
2) ITAFC continued to play their amateur matches at this site for 10 years. Portman Road was the key sporting venue in Ipswich and the home of the larger Rugby Club. Eventually, football became more popular and the two clubs switched venues !
3) We know from Ordnance records in 1884 that there was a distinct difference between "Brooks Hall" (roughly the location of Westwood Avenue & lower Valley Road) and "Broom Hill" (top of Broom Hill Road).
4) The area known as "Broom Hill" was owned by the Sherrington family. They sold the land to Borough of Ipswich for park land in 1925. Prior to the construction of the pool in 1938 the same area of Broomhill Park was a bowling green. Local senior citizens reveal that the land was always a flat shelf around this area of the park. It therefore stands to reason that if this was a the only naturally flat area on the "Broom Hill", then its quite probable that it was also the site of the Broom Hill football pitch where Ipswich Town AFC played their first games in 1878
5) One of the founders of ITAFC and first ever captain was George Stuart Sherrington, an "Old Boy" of Ipswich School, as were many of the club’s founders.
6) George Sherrington's elder brother was Sir Charles Scott Sherrington, who won the 1932 Nobel Prize for medicine; and became OM (Order of Merit, one of Britain’s highest honours). He later lived in Valley Road.
BROOMHILL WAS 70 YEARS OLD ON 30 APRIL 2008. WHAT WAS THE SCENE AT THE TIME 1938 ?
• Broomhill Pool was opened on 30 April. An art deco gem, Olympic length with 5 diving boards. The water was heated and filtered: The 3 hour filtration rate for 2,500,000 litres of water was one of the fastest in the country.
• Her Majesty the Queen (later HM the Queen Mother) launches Queen Elizabeth, the largest passenger liner for three decades and sister ship to Queen Mary.
• Ipswich Town successfully negotiate with Manchester United to secure the services of their Manager Scott Duncan. Ipswich Town are elected to the football league, Third Division (South)
• Germany march into Vienna in March 1938. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meets Hitler. Later in Munich European leaders appease Hitler and permit the annexation the Sudetenland, Poland & Hungary .
• Mexico nationalises British & US oil companies.
• Ladislao Biro invents the ballpoint pen.
• Coelacanth “living fossil” fish is caught in the Indian ocean
• Orson Wells panics radio audiences with his performance in War of the Worlds.
• Italy win the 1938 World Cup. Hosted in Paris and contested by 15 nations. None of the British Home nations participated, despite the offer of a place.
• Spencer Tracy ( Boys Town ) and Bette Davis (Jezabel) win Oscars. Johnny Weissmuller stars in Tarzan’s revenge.
> The Beano comic is first published.
HOW CAN I HELP BROOMHILL POOL AND THE BROOMHILL POOL TRUST ?
Please make your support known to your local councillors, MPs and local newspapers.
HOW WILL BROOMHILL POOL IMPROVE CULTURE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN IPSWICH ?
Lidos are one of the iconic building types of the 1930s. In England there are only thirteen that have been listed, of which Broomhill Pool was listed Grade II in 2001. Broomhill Pool is the only ‘moderne’ 1930’s buildings of this quality in the region.
For over 60 years Broomhill was a safe environment to play and relax; an important social meeting point; a melting pot for all ethnic backgrounds: youth, elderly, families, disadvantaged, fitness enthusiasts and serious swimmers. We plan that it will provide exercise in the open air, a social meeting place for teenagers, a heritage learning experience and a useful facility for many other water based activities. The catchment area is 40,000 people within walking distance, 135,000 by cycle or bus; and potentially 350,000 population from the greater Ipswich area. The project will includes reintroduction of heated water, and provide year round healthy, social and practical heritage/cultural benefits
Everything about Broomhill was built on a generous scale: The spectator's grandstand on the South side of the pool has space for 700 people on five tiers; sunbathing terraces, known as beaches, run the whole length of the North side and a buffet and patio area on the East side provides great views of the diving board activities. The pool originally had heating and underwater lighting and the main entrance was built with a clock tower.
WHAT IF YOU FAIL ?
The loss of Broomhill Pool would reflect on all of us. At a time of child obesity, youth crime, and recognising our heritage, it would be a massive failure to lose such an immensely practical and historically valuable facility.
The Feasibility Study identified that the land on which Broomhill is situated, has legal covenants which deem that it may only be used for leisure and recreational use. To demolish Broomhill Pool, clear the site and return to parkland would cost a minimum of £1m (ironically the same amount Ipswich Borough Council has so far pledged towards its rebuild) but deliver no benefit or value for the people of Ipswich.
The grade 2 listed buildings would most probably need to be retained which would further escalate the cost of demolition. An empty, disused, grade 2 building would be a disastrous waste of tax payers money; and loss of a much needed facility.
Quite clearly the Trust’s efforts are in the best interests for both the people of Ipswich and our politicians !
RECAP - WHY SUPPORT BROOMHILL POOL ?
1) The facility is absolutely unique. Its reopening will improve the quality of life of all sections of a
large community in Suffolk (& critically, a less advantaged area of Ipswich).
2) It is intended to run at no cost to the Community.
3) It will be a landmark attraction in the region attracting many visitors from outside Ipswich.
4) We have completed a £67,000 feasibility study which shows that this will be viable project.
5) Without YOUR support it may be lost forever.
AFTER HERITAGE LOTTERY BID FAILURE IN 2008, IS IT WORTH CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR BROOMHILL ?
The Trust's £1.99m bid for Heritage Lottery Funding was rejected in 2008. The project met the three key HLF objectives. However, the HLF indicated it was seeking “greater long term commitment from the pool’s owners”. Broomhill Pool CAN BE SAVED but funders will not make the first move until the owner's (IBC), an operator, and the majority funders (HLF) have reached mutual agreement on their commitment.
1) Broomhill is just one of twelve Grade II listed lidos in the UK. It is the only 50m + length lido in East Anglia; the only “Moderne” style building left in Ipswich.
2) The Grade II listing requires that any demolition order must be made to the Secretary of State. The owners (IBC) would need to prove that the lido is not restorable or viable for its purpose. However, the IBC/Trust, £67,000 feasibility study (conducted in 2006) already confirms that IT IS fully restorable (just £3.9m) and can be run without an operational loss. Operating budgets within the study were conservatively estimated on attendances of just 21,000 pa. (However, when the pool was well maintained and operated actual attendances were often 45,000+ per year.
3) The lido is within Broomhill Park. IBC would face a battle to use the land for anything other than recreational use. Demolition of the pool, remediation and stabilisation of the site would cost in excess of £1m (IBC has so far pledged £1m for its restoration).
4) Broomhill Pool was built in 1938 as a heated outdoor pool allowing extended seasonal opening (the boilers were requisitioned for WW2). The feasibility proposed scheme includes modern sustainable boilers to heat the pool. The facility would also house an education and heritage suite, catering, and promote many other outdoor pursuits such as canoeing, sailing, triathlon and scuba.
5) St Matthews and Pipers Vale have gone; school pools at Northgate and Westbourne have gone. Crown Pools and Fore Street are inadequate for a growing Ipswich population. Any new built indoor pool for would cost six times more than restoring Broomhill. So, Broomhill is by far the most cost effective solution to meet the towns swimming needs and seasonal peak demands.
6) Broomhill could quite easily be restored to Olympic length. However, our objective is to cater inclusively for ALL Ipswich residents and user groups to increase healthy and social activity – more than just pandering to a handful of elite athletes.
7) We have NOT “exhausted every area of funding and failed”. On the contrary, we know exactly where funding must and can come from, but no one will make the first move until the owners (IBC) and the majority funders (HLF) have reached mutual agreement on their commitment.
8) During a period of economic turmoil a local capital project like Broomhill will secure local jobs in construction, civil engineering, surveying, and long term jobs for pool operators and staff.
9) The Broomhill Trust has continued to lobby councillors on all sides. We hope to convince our council to provide long term commitment; and to present a combined, enhanced bid to the HLF in 2009.
FACT FILE
Lastly we re-iterate the expert findings of the 2006 Feasibility Study
* Public and user groups would like the facility re-opened (18,500 petition signatures (2008), 88% of IBC’s own (2003) survey;, 3000 hits per month on www.savebroomhillpool.org
* The pool does not suffer from major structural defects.
* There is suitable funding available for re-development costs for the pool.
* The pool can operate without making an operational loss.
* Operators are willing to take over, manage and operate the pool
* The re-development of the pool is a cost effective solution for all.
WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE BROOMHILL (AS OF JUNE 2010)
The Trust is encouraged that a leading not-for-profit operator - with unrivalled experience in restoring an operating lidos - has stepped forward with a multi-million pound scheme to restore the pool to its original condition (plus state of art fitness suite) as a major tourist attraction, and important public facility, for Ipswich.
A cost effective, sympathetic and deliverable solution has been found for Broomhill Pool.
However, it is wholly dependant on Ipswich Borough Council playing their part. It will simply not be realistic, or possible, for the operator to secure “match” funding (from third party funders) unless funding bodies can see that the local council has taken an appropriate stake in the outcome.
The desired circumstances outlined for the Broomhill Pool Trust to secure IBC’s £1m Broomhill Pool pledge have been presented. With IBC's contribution, along with the operator’s own investment, there would be a sufficient basis for third party funders to support. But, without IBC’s £1m pledge, then this fabulous opportunity will not only be lost, it is unlikely to ever present itself again.
The Trust estimates that it has, and continues, to cost Ipswich taxpayers in the region of £50k per year to keep Broomhill CLOSED. So, we believe that most will back IBC in meeting the operator’s wholly reasonable needs and fully support them in delivering an outstanding asset - and deal - for the town.
WHAT IS THE "THREE KNIGHTS TRAIL" ?
The area around Broomhill Park, Ipswich is home to several historic gems. Dubbed “The Three Knights Trail”, the area contains:
1) Broomhill Park, the birthplace of Ipswich Town F.C in 1878.
2) Westbourne Library (in Broomhill Park) was purpose built in 1937, as an A.P.R decontamination unit.
3) Broomhill Pool (in Broomhill Park) is Suffolk & Norfolk’s only grade II listed lido.
4) In Valley Road was the dwelling place of Ipswich’s 1932 Nobel Prize winner, Sir Charles Scott Sherrington.
5) Also in Valley Road was the dwelling place of England’s greatest football manager, Sir Alf Ramsey.
6) In Constitution Hill (parallel to Valley Road) was the dwelling place of Ipswich Town’s finest football manager, Sir Bobby Robson.
ref: ttp://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=sherrington%20road%20ipswich&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
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