New changing facilities set for Outdoor Pool

Changes will include the construction of six new changing rooms, two toilets, three “beach style” open showers and lockers alongside improvements to the entrance.

Until now, swimmers have changed in the adjacent Cornwall House, walking along a short path to gain access to the pool.

Assistant Director of Sport Neil Sheppard is overseeing the project and explained how the new facilities would greatly improve the customer experience of swimmers.

He said: “The Cornwall House Outdoor Pool has long been a hugely popular summer haunt for students and the public alike, receiving 1000s of visitors each year.

“For a while now we have known that the changing provision at the pool hasn’t been good enough. Having people walking on an open path that is being used by other people at the University was less than ideal, so I am delighted that we are able to modernise facility, smarten it up and allow customers direct access to the pool once they have changed.

“Over the last 12 month’s we’ve benefitted from a huge investment across our sports facilities with developments like the Russell Seal Fitness Centre, so it is only right that we work to bring our existing facilities up to the standard of our new ones.”

Costing around £110,000, the new changing block will be located at the deep end of the pool, near the entrance making use of a wall already in place.

The heated pool is set to open for the summer on 3 May, with the new changing facilities becoming active later that month.  Times are set aside in the pool for casual and lane swimming, with many visitors also making use of the large grass bank which is a popular sun-trap.

Neil added:  “One of the allures of the pool is the open grass and patio space around it so a big part of this brief has been to ensure that we don’t lose any part of that space or alter the relaxed feel of the pool.

“This is something I think we have achieved. Putting the new block at the deep end is making use of dead-space that has minimal effect on the pool environment as a whole. Furthermore it will allow swimmers direct access to the pool from the changing rooms and increase their privacy – it’s the best outcome for everyone and I personally cannot wait to see it finished.”