Work starts on Janet Adegoke centre

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£5.2 million project for a new pool

Work has started on building a new pool in White City to replace the swimming facilities of the old Janet Adegoke centre. The pool, which will be next to the new Phoenix Sports and Fitness Centre, in Bloemfontein Road, will include a 25m lane pool plus a learners’/children's pool,
sauna, lounge and viewing area.

Demolition of the technology block at Phoenix High School began this week to make way for the new pool and a new school technology block. Building work begins next month and is due to finish by the end of November next year, in time for the pool to open in December 2005. The £5.2 million project is being built by contractors Jerram Falkus on behalf of the council.

The pool will retain the Janet Adegoke name and the same low prices for Lifestyle Plus members. It will be fully accessible for disabled swimmers and will share a common entrance and reception with the gym so that residents can swim,
work-out and relax in the same leisure complex.

Phoenix High School headteacher, William Atkinson, said: “This is an important partnership between the school and the council, which has already led to the successful Phoenix Sports and Fitness Centre being set up, benefiting everyone in this area. The new gym and pool puts the school at the heart of the community and builds on successful projects such as the Phoenix summer camp, which used the new gym as the base for a month of summer activities for local children and young people.”

Iris Amor, chair of Astra (Hammersmith) Swimming Club, said: “It is important for swimmers in the north of the borough to have this pool, which will be suitable for training for competitive swimming as well as teaching learners.”

Cllr Andrew Slaughter, leader of the council, said: “Now that work on this £5.2 million project is under way residents and schools in the north of the borough can look forward to having new  state-of-the-art swimming and fitness facilities on their doorstep. At the same time pupils and staff at Phoenix High School will benefit by getting a new technology block to enhance their teaching and learning. This underlines our commitment to sport and leisure in the borough, which will also see the opening of the refurbished Linford Christie Stadium at the end of next month.”

September 19, 2004