With the majority of people focusing on the development of the ‘top-site’ in the LDA’s Masterplan, we are missing a huge issue – which is the redevelopment or loss of the [qype id="83358"] and the Crystal Palace Athletics stadium. This notice is tucked away in the Masterplan document.
Read Jerry Green’s excellent summary: http://wp.me/p11HBY-mR The two main caveats on our sporting facilities are the conversion of the NSC to ‘dry’ only sports and the dismantling of the Jubilee stand at Crystal Palace athletics track. A new regional sports centre would be built close to the station according to the Masterplan. But when and where exactly? It is pretty vague to say the least and gives cold comfort to local sportsmen and sports fans.
The reason for the planned infill of the 50m pool is that the humidity from the pool affected the ‘dry’ sporting facilities (the basketball courts and the squash courts). If these facilities cannot coexist, then surely it would be cheaper to build a separate ‘dry area’ rather than fill in and rebuild a new swimming pool. The National Sports Centre is a listed building it cannot be demolished, it’s recently had a £1.5 million refurbishment to the pool and dry facilities.
Why look to downgrade the National Sports Centre to a regional sports centre and duplicate facilities at an extra cost to the tax payer? Will we see another 50m pool in Crystal Palace? If ours closes then the only other Olympic pool in London will be the London Aquatics Centre opening in 2012. Not great news for future Olympic swimmers.
The Crystal Palace Grand Prix has now become the London Grand Prix, I assume the change of name will make the transition away from Crystal Palace easier with less fuss. I have been going to the event for the last ten years and what has always struck me is the support of the fans and the genuine appreciation of this support by world renowned sports stars. Its a shame there seems to be no campaign to save our existing sports facilities. We have less that a month before we find out the Secretary of States decision on the LDA’s proposal.
If you are interested in joining our mailing list, please submit your email below. 
If the pool at Crystal Palace closed again, it would be a travesty both for the sportsmen and women who use the facilities and the local community alike. The pool was recently closed for approximately 18 months for refurbishment and has only been reopened for a year, in that time London’s promising high divers had to travel to Sheffield (the nearest high dive pool) to train, how can this in anyway be helpful to our future Olympians?
As a resident to Crystal Palace I can honestly say that this area is crying out for redevelopment and investment, for a long time we have been promised investment by the various councils which look after Crystal Palace (5 in total), but these feel like empty promises.
There is no need to close the pool again, the proposed work would further damage an already struggling venue and the local area.
Tavia I think you are spot on.
We have a week before the Secretary of State’s decision.
Hopefully we wont need to start a Save Crystal Palace Pool Campaign!
Fingers crossed!