A REPLACEMENT swimming pool, pro­mised to Monmouth residents, will accompany a complete restyle of leisure facilities, according to Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet members.

Deputy leader of the council, Bob Greenland (Con. Wolvesnewton) said: “The new comprehensive school for Monmouth is under con-

struction and we propose to incorporate the sports hall into the footprint of the new school, while providing a new 25 metre pool in the former sports hall within the leisure centre. 

“This new configuration will give better access to the sports hall for the school during the day while releasing more areas of the leisure centre for use by the public.  In the evenings the sports hall will be available for public use. 

“Introducing new facilities such as soft play and more fitness stations will increase the attraction to more members of the public, while the addition of a toning suite and spa will help finance this new approach to active leisure services.

“Active leisure pursuits have changed over recent years and we want to keep attracting individuals and families into the leisure centre.  Facing the prospect of increases in child obesity it is important that children find fun in using the leisure centre through soft play and other exciting activities.

“The cost pressures on the provision of a new school mean we can no longer expect the new pool to be funded as part of that project, but I am very pleased that we can consider these new proposals, partly funded by better use of the leisure centre and through new facilities such as a toning suite and spa. 

“A new £47million school plus a new £6.6m leisure complex is a huge commitment and a lasting investment for future generations.  This represents the most significant public service investment in the town in recent history and shows what can be achieved when we back our priorities to invest in education, promote enterprise and stren­gthen and sustain frontline local services.”