Rushcliffe Arena pool plan submitted to council
Plans for a leisure centre and new council offices have been submitted amid concerns of a loss of family-friendly swimming.
Rushcliffe Borough Council wants to redevelop the Arena in West Bridgford bringing all the sports facilities in the Nottingham suburb under one roof.
The council will also move its offices to a smaller building on the site.
Campaigners admitted the plans were better than expected but said they wanted more family swimming.
2,000 signature petition
The development plans will see Rushcliffe Leisure Centre's pool close but two built on the Rushcliffe Arena site, with one for learners, families and children.
There will also be a sports hall, squash courts and fitness facilities while the current indoor bowling green will be kept and a lane bowling hall will be added.
Campaigners feared the designs would mean the loss of family-friendly space but Juliet Woodin, who organised a 2,000-signature petition, admitted they were better than expected.
Change in regulations
"We are very pleased [the council] has listened to us... but we think there's a need to do a bit more," she said.
"We are hoping that in the detailed design of the pool they will be able to increase that family area further."
Councillor John Cottee said it was impossible to keep all the facilities the old centre had because it was built in the 1970s and regulations have since changed.
"We need to keep swimmers and non-swimmers separate... if we can change it we will try and accommodate the requests," he said.
"If we can't I will come back and say why."