Been in the pools this morning, first one to to use the kids pool at 8am this morning with the family. All looks pretty good. Will check out gym this afternoon.
Glowing from a wonderful swim and tour of Forest Hill Pools - everything I would have wished for and expected to see. The significance of the occasion comes from the aspirations of the many local people who have worked so hard to see this building saved and now re-developed. I am absolutely delighted to see the wonderful job that has been done redeveloping the pools to modern standards, while retaining features like the historic Victorian frontage.
This is a striking development but perhaps its most important dimension is that it’s the result of joint working between local stakeholders and the Council to achieve a shared goal. Architects Roberts Limbrick and building contractors Willmott Dixon have carried out a magnificent job in delivering this project on schedule and providing a sustainable future for such a well-loved local building that will benefit the community for many years to come.
Fusion have finished the fit out to a very high standard with state of the art gym equipment as well as a fantastic cafe - I left residents out on the terrace enjoying the last of our summer sun as I walked back to Sydenham over the Dacres Road footbridge.
A big thank you to everyone that has made this happen and I look forward to seeing you all at the Community Day and official opening next Saturday 22nd September http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/even...rates.aspx to celebrate a fantastic achievement.
Cllr Chris Best - representing Sydenham and Chair of the Forest Hill Pools Stakeholder Group http://www.chrisbest.org
This post was last modified: 15-09-2012 11:57 AM by cllr chris best.
I've been for a swim. Two lovely pools, excellent food in the cafe, great landscaping, and really nice to get down there before it gets as busy as I know it will become.
Thanks are due to so many people for making this happen. Particularly Chris Best, Steve Bullock, John Russell, Alex Feakes, Phililp Peake, all those on the stakeholders group, the various 'save the pools' campaigns, the Forest Hill Society, the Sydenham Society, many council officers, architects and builders.
This post was last modified: 15-09-2012 12:52 PM by michael.
FH pools has been well worth the wait. I've been both yesterday and today to the gym and it's great. Lovely staff, super equipment, and the outside patio is a real bonus. What with the new deli opposite, it can only be up-and-up for Dartmouth Road in particular and Forest Hill in general.
They'll be winners and losers with the opening of course, and I can't see that Energie gym near Sainsburys lasting long. Unless they cut their prices dramatically or re-focus their business model, perhaps to the muscle-man end of the fitness spectrum. If they do fold, I just hope the space doesn't revert to a McDonald's!
Energie like most gyms will tie in their users to long term contracts, so I wouldn't expect a mass exodus yet, plus their location is nearer to to the station and most of the bus routes.
However, I can see the new Pools being key to the regeneration of Dartmouth Road with more footfall from users walking up the road from the station along with the Portas funding, FH's future is looking bright.
We went as a family to the pools yesterday, and I have to say that they are fab!
The water is nice and warm, which other local pools don't seem to bother with, the changing facilities are spacious, and the cafe and its staff were both lovely.
As regards the timetable, for me it seems a much better laid out affair than other pools again - not so much closed for swim schools just when I want to go for a dip.
I hope to go down alone soon too to stretch my swimming legs a bit.
Thank you to Lewisham, and also to everyone who has campaigned to get this facility back for us, and in such good shape too!
I've just come back from trying out the gym. I was very impressed... but then it was the first time I've ever been in a gym... so what do I know!
There is certainly a good selection of brand new machines for cardio & weights, plus a circuit of simple resistance machines here you just pull out knobs to make it a harder workout rather than messing about with weights, as well as various free weights, benches, balls, etc. And the staff are helpful if you can't follow the diagrams on some of the machines
Went swimming last night. Water temperature is a real triumph - at last, a pool that isn't that bit too cold. Liked the overall design very much. There aren't enough showers and they're in an odd place, and the white roof over the main pool will look pretty mucky pretty quickly.
But in general - terrific. It'll soon be swamped, but that's not its fault, that's because there aren't enough public pools in London.
hmm - not too sure I'm happy to hear about the water temperature - I like it a bit cold as it means I get going sharpish and have a proper work out in the pool rather than gentle splash.
Looking forward to trying it out though, and more importantly, it now means we can take our daughter to the pool without having to get in the car.
Does the large pool look like it's suitable to take a toddler in, arm-banded up, for a general swim session? The little pool seems to have schools most of the day during the week? Thanks.
Agree, it's great, lovely, want to go back and I was down there with my toddler this morning.
BUT, not enough staff on reception to cope with the huge demand in enquiries. They look shattered already. I've popped in 3 times over the past few days and each time a long queue of enquiries and those just wanting to use the place, and stressed/over-worked staff.
Anyone else found that?
I was intrigued by the signs on the diving blocks saying 'please do not dive from these diving blocks'. On closer inspection, they appear to have been placed at the shallow end.
I visited for the first time yesterday evening. I was impressed by the feeling of openness and the layout of the pools.
I agree with kemurf however, there was a small queue for mostly enquiries that took a long time to dissipate. The pool staff were looking slightly bedraggled. Hopefully this will change as it finds its feet. Great addition to F.Hill
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