RAMSGATE NEW SWIMMING POOL

[smeaton]

The following letter has been sent to the IOW Gazette about the proposed New Swimming Pool for Ramsgate.
We would appreciate your comments:

NEW RAMSGATE SWIMMING POOL

The proposal to locate the new swimming pool adjacent to the Sports Centre in Ramsgate High Street is seriously flawed for several reasons:

Firstly, there is insufficient space for parking. TDC “would avoid this problem with most people walking to it”. Users come from all over the area – see the extensive use of the existing car park!

Secondly, The NETTO car park will not be usable because ASDA will be taking over NETTO and “Clamping Warnings” are already in place – so beware.

Thirdly, The new pool is only 25 metres. For competitive swimming 50metre pools are used. No likely Olympic champions from Thanet then. The excellent training at the existing pool deserves a better pool not a downgrade.

Fourthly, The new pool will cost £3.46 Million (TDC’s figures). The existing site is in the right place, the refurbishment could not possibly cost £3.46 Million and there is plenty of space for a new spa and the other facilities.

So why are they moving to the High Street? Because they wish to sell of the site of the existing pool for development. Another block of flats? This site is part of the Warre Recreation Ground. The Indenture for this land (Whitfield Number R/U744/T366) dated 8th January 1900, shows the land bequeathed to the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Ramsgate for a term of one thousand years. The Indenture states firmly that the land can only be used for recreation purposes to promote the “health, amusement and enjoyment of the inhabitants of the said Borough”.

This is another example of legalised theft by TDC of Ramsgate’s Heritage. They are also in the process of selling off Albion House also bequeathed to the people of Ramsgate. I want the best for Ramsgate not a second rate pool squeezed in next to the Sports Centre. I know the present pool needs refurbishment but to imply that it would cost more than £3.46 Million is plainly ridiculous. What say the people of Ramsgate? There is no Ramsgate voice on the Cabinet of TDC so this your only chance.

Peter Landi
Member of the Ramsgate Society and Ramsgate Town Council.