City eyesore on council shortlist for sport scheme
A DERELICT swathe of land where the former Debenhams store used to stand has made a shortlist of sites for an Olympic-sized swimming pool in Derby.
The three-acre Becketwell site has been a thorn in the side of Derby City Council for years as it has struggled to get developers interested in the area, which is owned by several different companies.
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Image of what the velodrome and swimming pool could look like
Now a study commissioned by the council to see which would be the best sites for two leisure hubs – an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a velodrome – has picked out Becketwell as a front runner for the swimming pool option.
Also making the shortlist for the £50m leisure strategy is the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
The council has set aside money in its budget to drive the plans forward and is not relying on direct Government funding but does need to borrow money to make it happen.
It hopes by choosing sites carefully for the scheme, it can use that funding to regenerate key areas of the city, such as Becketwell, at a time when private sector and central government spending is sparse.
The hospital site scored highest because of good accessibility but a masterplan for the city states this land would be best used for a housing development.
A series of problems were identified with the Becketwell plot, including a potential problem with parking, the number of different land owners involved and the nearby conservation area.
But the report, carried out by PMP Genesis, states that the land is one of the council's highest priorities.
Councillor Alan Grimadell, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "There are several eyesore sites in Derby and we want to see these developed where possible and this strategy provides is with opportunities for that.
"While the DRI site has come out on top, we will also look at others, such as Becketwell.
"I think what we also need to focus on is that while the velodrome is for the people of Derby, it should also be a regional facility and would also be able to hold concerts and exhibitions."
For the velodrome hub, three sites have made the shortlist. The Chaddesden Sidings land on the river bank near Pride Park, which is owned by Network Rail, scored the highest.
Land earmarked for housing at the Manor Kingsway site came in second place.
Moorways Sports Centre came in third place.
Mr Grimadell said: "Moorways is an important, strategic site but there are others such as the Chaddesden Sidings and Manor Kingsway sites which do score better and we need to look at."
The council's cabinet will consider the report tonight before deciding whether to keep the consultants on board for a further £45,000 and set up a board to drive the plans forward.
If they agree, the council will start discussions with land owners so that, by the summer, it will be able to chose a preferred site for both the swimming pool and velodrome hubs.
Work could then begin on building the centres in 2011-12 and the new facilities would include:
Indoor Hub:
Eight-lane, 50m pool
Teaching pool
Leisure water and flumes
Spectator area for 500
Soft play area
Cafe
Fitness gym with 100 stations
Two dance/aerobic studios
Climbing wall
250-300 parking spaces
Outdoor Hub:
250m indoor velodrome
Up to 1,000 seats for spectators
Large foyer
400m outdoor athletics track
1km closed road cycling circuit
18 Comments
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by Karen, derby
Wednesday, June 09 2010, 8:11PM
“I can understand why many of you are upset about the council not playing the England matches on the big screen, but remember there is more to life than football!! There are many sports out there and Derby is behind in all of them. Swimming and cycling are as big a part of some peoples lives as football is to you, Derby County have had a new traing ground, and Pride Park Stadium to play their matches so why cant the council support our swimmers and provide a new pool that could generate more income the city. Please remember when your slagging this exciting proposal off that the children that are involved in swimming and cycling etc are NOT the ones that will attack you in the street or sponge of the government later in life, they will be the ones that work for a living and hold doors open for you when you need them too.”
by BigVanAl, Vancouver
Wednesday, June 09 2010, 2:59AM
“Are rumours that Mr. Grimadell is thinking of training to becoming a Tri- Athlete true?”
by BigVanAl, Vancouver
Wednesday, June 09 2010, 2:57AM
“Are rumours that Mr. Grimadell is thinking of training to be a Tri-Athlete?”
by Simon, Alvaston
Wednesday, June 09 2010, 12:08AM
“Sounds brilliant to me and pretty exciting. As long as the public have the opportunity to have their say then I'm all for it!”
by Raymond fynnes, Derby
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 9:03PM
“What an amazing bunch of whingers you lot are. BMXers wouldn't use it! Of course they would. How do you think they started BMXing? because they had a facility to be able to do it, that's why. Do those kids want to try other cycling disciplines? You bet they will. With a 50mtr pool and other related facilities plus a velodrome & road circuit, will the kids, young people & their families have opportunities to take part in healthy activities, you're damn right they will.
I am lucky enough to have been to the Manchester dome & that place is teaming with activity, in fact you have to book nearly 3 months in advance! Manchester doesn't have just local people attending; it has people from all over the country riding there. At present there is nothing like it in the midlands but there now is the chance to put Derby on the map.
I love living in Derby & have done for many years, even now in my retirement. Sure it has its problems. But, all I ever hear is, ¿no one does anything for us¿ ¿there is nothing for the kids to do¿ ¿why are kids so obese these days¿ ¿I can¿t get my child off the Playstation (other PC games are available!). etc.
A velodrome & a 50mtr pool do, on the surface sound elitist, but what I believe they will offer is the chance for people to try something. Just look at the BMX track. When I cycle past there I see loads and loads of kids (and families) using it, every day.
Yes I agree we need housing and all sorts of other things as well, but you can¿t please em all, all of the time. This looks like a real step in the right direction to me.
Now in my 60¿s I can¿t wait to see what this will bring to the Derby I love. I for one and lots of my friends will definitely be using it.
Sorry that¿s my two penneth worth.”
by dave, littleover
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 5:11PM
“Will Derby produce enough swimmers of the standard to need an olympic sized pool,oh sorry it must be for swimmers from anywhere else in the country as Derby people can't act responsibly enough to use this type of facility according to our local council and they can't afford to police it. One thing for sure you won't be seeing any Derby swimmers on the big screen even if they got to the olympics”
by David Gale, Derby
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 3:12PM
“Strange, isn't it, how available large plots of land just trip off the tongue for a flagship project, yet when it comes to turning the city into somewhere where people would actually want to live, there's an acute shortage of building land, forcing green-field sites to be used on the outskirts of the city.
Could it be anything to do with the fact that green-field sites are more profitable for housing and that the council has a profit-share built into the contracts with the developers?”
by Charlie May, Mickleover
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:56PM
“when it's built nobody will be allowed to use it as the council will say it's not in the public interest and having taken advice from the police feel it would be to expensive to police”
by Stephen, Derby
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:00PM
“Just when the Tory led government are about to apply a national belt-tightener this Tory led council wants to spend 50 million pounds on leisure facilities whilst at the same refusing to show England's World Cup matches on the big screen in the Market Place, a use for which the screen was actually intended.”
by Anne, Quarndon
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:00PM
“The DRI site would seem to be more suitable for the pool complex, with better car access. But it's more than time to find a solution for the Becketwell area - just so long as whatever is planned does not provide an excuse for turning the Hippodrome into a car park!”