Photo:   Lauren Hobbins and Rebecca Gilbertson

WORK on a £26 million Olympic size swimming pool finally began in Luton last week despite being dogged by controversy during its planning stages.  Due to open in July 2012, the much opposed Luton Aquatic Centre will feature a 50 metre eight lane pool with world class diving facilities and seating for 400 spectators, a multi-use sports hall and a 100 station fitness centre.

The start of work on the centre, which will be paid for using revenue from Luton Airport, was marked with a ground breaking ceremony on Thursday at Stopsley Common, Butterfield Green Road, where it will be built.  Luton Borough Council leader Hazel Simmons said at the ceremony: “I’m really excited today. We’ve made promises in the past and have let the town down.  “The other administration said that they’d build a new pool but it didn’t happen and we were determined that our manifesto to build a swimming pool would happen.  “This will be a reminder that the town owns an airport and what an airport can do for a town.  “This is a wonderful landmark for the town, a town that’s on the move, a town that’s going to become a city, that’s the plan.”

The centre has been the source of much contention since plans to build it just yards from the current Luton Regional Sports Centre, which will eventually be demolished, were unveiled.  As well as angering sports clubs, who feared that some of their facilities would be lost in the overhaul, residents also raised concerns about finance, traffic problems in the area surrounding the Stopsley Crematorium, how large the building would be and how close it would be to surrounding houses.  But after much public consultation and scrutiny Town hall planners say that they are committing to providing a facility that will help improve the health and life expectancy of Luton residents.  Councillor Simmons added: “It’s taken us many years to get to this stage and we have had to overcome many challenges but we are delighted that finally the town will get what it deserves.”

Click on the following link to access the Statement of Community Involvement.

Luton Aquatic Centre Statement of Community Involvement