A £1 million project to modernise Elswick Pool is going swimmingly.
 

Newcastle City Council and Centre West took the plunge and launched an ambitious programme of improvements, to give local people the facilities they deserve. 
 

Outdated showers, toilets and changing rooms are being replaced and a new staircase and lift introduced - but the most exciting addition will be a modern health and fitness suite. Also on the agenda is an activity/study room and a range of changes to make the building more accessible for people with disabilities.
 
"As well as the ground floor refurbishments, the renovation will include an Impulse fitness suite," said Keith Balmain, of Newcastle City Council.

"This will be the same kind of quality facility that is becoming our standard across the city – right in the heart of the West End! The new pool will be affordable, accessible and fun, with great benefit to local people and the wider community.

"We’re planning to work with Centre West to offer leisure industry training for young people, and also to introduce GP referrals and tackle health issues like obesity. Above all it will complement other recent improvements in the area. "Centre West contributed £100,000 to the project, with the Arts and Culture Trust also supporting the scheme.  

"I’m sure local people will take great pleasure from these first-class facilities," said Brian Hannah, Chair of Centre West. "Improving people’s health and leisure opportunities has always been one of our biggest targets, and it makes perfect sense for us to invest in the Council’s vision for the pool because we’ve already invested heavily in the surrounding area."

The new pool is on schedule to open in August 2009.