I have, initially reluctantly, come to the same conclusion as Michael.

I was all for retaining the building or incorporating the facade as there is little enough distinctive architecture in this area. However, when I think back to when the pool was still open and I had just moved to the area, I did pop my head in to take a look for when I could go there with my baby daughter and I was concerned. I worried about the state of the place, the location of the changing rooms, the steps, the cleanliness, etc. I might have gone anyway, but I was not convinced.

A refurbishment might address many of these issues, but they would also be compromises - disabled & pram access, parking, light, etc.

When the new facilities had to fit into the footprint of the existing building, retaining it made much more sense, but we have the option of starting again across the whole area including Louise House and really making this a destination for ourselves and our neighbours, the kind of thing that will also revitalise the economy of Forest Hill.

I am now convinced that a rebuild is the better option BUT we must be convinced about the design and the facilities, and that the way the building and facilities are managed will not mean this too will fall into disrepair in a few years time.

The Victorians built the pool to give people access to pools for their health, not to build a monument, so let's keep the best parts of that spirit and build the kind of place we really want for ourselves and our families.