New pool splashes down

by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
18/01/2006

New Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool opens in White City

A brand new swimming pool has splashed down in White City – so residents, schools and community groups in the north of the borough now have fantastic new leisure facilities on their doorstep. 

The £4 million Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool, which opens to the public next Wednesday (25 January), replaces the swimming facilities of the old Janet Adegoke Centre, in White City, and has a common entrance with the Phoenix Fitness Centre, in Bloemfontein Road.

The new leisure complex, called the Phoenix Fitness Centre and Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool, means residents can swim, work-out and relax in the same centre, which is managed for the council by not-for-profit group Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL). 

Local schools and nurseries have already tried out the new pool. Donald Barnes, whose three year-old son Rhys joined a session with children from Harmony Neighbourhood Nursery in the learners’/children’s pool, said: “Rhys had a great time – he didn’t want to leave. I am so pleased that this pool has opened just over the road from where we live.”

Jana Hassan, manager of Harmony Neighbourhood Nursery, said: “It’s a great new facility and we plan to bring our children here again in the near future.”

The new Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool, in White City, features:

• a 25m lane pool plus learners’/children's pool, sauna, lounge and viewing area 
• five lanes for swimmers in the main pool
• full accessibility for disabled swimmers, with a further lane of the main pool providing an access ramp for wheelchair users.
• Swimming pool opening times Monday - Friday 7am - 8.30pm, Saturdays 8.30am - 6.00pm, Sundays 9.30am - 5pm   

Cllr Stephen Burke, leader of the council, said: “The new Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool means residents and schools in the north of the borough now have new state-of-the-art swimming and fitness facilities on their doorstep. Children, staff and parents from local schools and nurseries have already taken the plunge and the pool is certain to prove a big hit with everybody in the area.”

Phoenix High School headteacher, William Atkinson, said: “The new pool is a first-class facility and a real asset to the whole community. It has been built as part of the successful partnership between the school and the council which led to the Phoenix Fitness Centre being set up.”

Mark Sesnan, managing director for GLL, said: “The partnership between Hammersmith & Fulham Council and GLL brings local services and social enterprise together to deliver inclusive, relevant and high quality leisure facilities for the borough, which rival those of privately-run fitness centres. We look forward to working with the council in managing the new pool facilities and positively contributing to the promotion of equality and quality of life for everyone in Hammersmith & Fulham.”

Notes to the editor:

• For more details about the new pool and gym call 020 8735 4900.
• The Lifestyle Plus membership scheme is open to borough residents on low incomes. It costs just £10.25 for six months to join after which members can swim (and use many other local leisure facilities) for 50p per session. You can apply at any library or call 020 8753 3674.
• Residents who join the London Fitness Network will have unlimited free use of over 60 council-owned gyms and pools run by charities and trusts across London
• Greenwich Leisure Limited is a not-for-profit company which already manages the Hammersmith Fitness & Squash Centre and Lillie Road Fitness Centre for the council as well as more than 40 public leisure centres within the M25 area. For more details visit www.gll.org