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Making Waves with Swim for Shilling
Thursday 17th July 2008
Members of the public lined the pavement outside Durham’s flagship leisure complex, Freeman’s Quay, today as the revolutionary complex opened its doors for the first time.
Until Thursday July 24th 2008 the public is invited to swim for a shilling, an opening offer which immediately proved a big hit with young and old. The modern equivalent of 5p is the entry fee charged for a swim 76 years ago when the City Baths and Washhouses opened. The turn key operation to open Freeman's Quay and close the City Baths went without a hitch.
Thirty 7 and 8 year olds helped a host of retired diving
champions and water polo stars of past and present open
the building to the public. The year 3 children from
Shincliffe Primary School near Durham won the chance to
swim at the opening in a colouring competition open to
all schools booked to use the facility. Head Teacher
Janine Lowes, 'we are really proud at Shincliffe Primary
to be representing the many schools in the district that
will be using the facility. Being able to swim is so much
fun and such a life skill. It's wonderful to have such a
great new facility to support this.'
Other phrases used by the pupils included, 'mint',
'awesome' and 'brilliant.'
The pool is offered free of charge to local schools
during weekdays and the 4 court sports hall is available
for sports education at these times in a package worth
over £3m to the education authority.
Portfolio holder for Leisure and Culture, Coun. Sue
Pitts,
'Our priority was to ensure we created a facility that
catered for everyone, regardless of age or ability and
we've done that in considerable style, on time and on
budget.'
Freeman's Quay is significantly greener than other facilities of its size and scale due to the most advanced building materials and techniques. It has been designed to harvest natural light and re cycled heat warms the pool water with the pool overflow then flushing the toilets.
The £12.3m building hosts a 25m 8 lane pool and learner pool, both with floating floors, a 130 station Lifestyle Fitness gym, dance studio and multi use sports hall. It is also home to Durham's first 'Changing Place', a facility available to all with high support needs whether using Freeman's Quay or not. In addition there is an exhibition area, cyber café and healthy food court.