Go ahead for first Olympic-size pool in West London for 40 years.

The London Borough of Hillingdon will have the first 50m Olympic-sized pool to be built in West London for over 40 years.

Hillingdon Council is investing £22 million into the sports and leisure complex and has finalised additional funding to enable a 50m pool to be built as part of the complex, which includes an athletics stadium, sports hall and fitness centre.

The funding of £2.025 million from the London Development Agency will be supplemented by £1.5 million from Sport England.

The development is being built next to the 1930’s Uxbridge open-air pool, a grade II listed building, which is also being refurbished. The new pool will include a movable floor, allowing for the space to be used as two 25metre pools for different uses as well as altering the depths according to use.

Cllr Henry Higgins, Cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure at Hillingdon Council, led the council’s campaign for the 50m pool and said: “We are delighted that our aspirations for a 50m pool will become a reality, something that we have been campaigning for quite a while. It will be a great community asset.

We are investing £22m into bringing the old Lido back to life as well as providing a new purpose-built 21st century facility for our residents, which will be a legacy for our future generations hopefully some Hillingdon Olympic champions. With this additional funding we can enhance our plans and become one of the few places in London to have an Olympic size pool.

Our thanks go to everyone who showed their support for this important development.”

Chief Executive of the LDA, Manny Lewis said:

" The new 50m pool will put Hillingdon on the map in terms of first class sporting facilities, providing an excellent recreation venue for local residents as well as bringing wider regeneration benefits to the community. The LDA is proud to support the development with both residents and Olympic hopefuls alike benefiting from the scheme."

Sean Holt London Regional Director, Sport England said:

"The Hillingdon multi sport complex will offer a range of different sports under one roof including, a fitness centre, sports hall and swimming pool. This means that mums can go swimming while at the same time their children can play football. By making sport convenient and giving people choice they are more likely to enjoy it and get the sporting habit.”

The new sports and leisure complex is due to be completed in 2009.

Notes for editors:

•The council’s campaign for funding had previously been supported by former Olympian Haig Oundjian and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).

Emma Marsh

London Borough of Hillingdon

01895 556064

Luke Robinson

LDA

020 593 78069

lukerobinson@lda.gov.uk

Shareena Ali

Sport England

0207 273 1963

shareena.ali@sportengland.org