It therefore follows that if the proposed new pool in Derbyshire Dales is to cater for, and help produce, future top level swimmers locally, we must provide deep water facilities, ie: two metres depth.

We cannot afford the luxury of a pool with that depth over its entire length. That would be unreasonable for the "ratepayer" who has to fuind it, since the ordinary swimming and non-swimming public (potentially the majority of users) seldom venture into water more than chest high (four feet/1.20 metres).

Pools offering a maximum depth of four feet are of very limited use to serious swimmers, although they can be used for moderate competition such as inter-club and school events. However, they would be boycotted for county and district level events and so have little spectator gathering appeal and therefore very little spectator accommodation is required. This type of pool meets the requirements of the general swimming public, including non-swimmers and those of modest ability.

There is a compromise alternative to meet the requirements of both the general public and potential high performers even within the limit of 25 metres, which is the recommended pool length. This is to design it with an adjustable floor system. Given that such is installed, events of a high standard can be staged. This in turn means that adequate spectator accommodation must be incorporated.

The cost of building a pool to that standard will be very considerable. If Derbyshire Dales are not able to undertake this expense then they ought to reconsider their approach to the providing of swimming facilities through the Dales.

In the interests of public safety, leisure provision and health raising, priority should be given to equalising access to small, basic recreational type pools such as already exist at Ashbourne and Bakewell. Both Matlock and Wirksworth are in great need of these at the present time. Two pools of this type could probably be built at the same cost, or less, than a more elaborate one.

We understand that the intention to build on the new site in Matlock aims at everything short of true Olympic 50 metre standard. Does it really also provide for diving (in a separate tank) with springboards and fixed boards from 1m up to 5m or even 10 metres. And will it include a tank suitable for synchronised swimming and water polo?

It is time that Derbyshire Dales came clean and published details of what we might expect for the next step in provision for public swimming facilities through the Dales — and to give the public the choice between a super pool, something less ambitious, or basic pools spread evenly through our district — to be followed in future years by top level purpose-built competition pools.

Remember, the broader the base the higher the pyramid.

KEN MILLER,
Former County ASA Secretary and President,
High View, Canterbury Terrace, Wirksworth.