Plans for La Vallette bathing pools to include a place to make a warm cuppa
MAKING sure that there is a place for users of the changing rooms at La Vallette to make a cup of warming tea was one of the main concerns expressed by swimmers using the facilities yesterday.
But the people behind the scheme, Vive La Vallette, have said they will make sure that the facility is available.
Plans for a £1.5m. renovation of the kiosk and surrounding area have been submitted to the Development & Planning Authority.
News that people would still be able to make a cuppa went down well. ‘It’s a real joy putting your hands around a hot cup of tea after a swim,’ said regular user Heidi Lawlor. ‘And there’s also the joy of making a cup of tea for someone else.’
If plans are approved, a three-level building will be constructed, with three changing rooms on the lower level including hot showers, lockers, benches and a space to sit and relax.
The cafe would be on the ground floor while on the upper floor it is intended to make space that could be rented out for yoga, pilates or tai chi classes, children’s parties and corporate events.
The idea of having classes and events on the site leads to the other major concern of the users – parking.
There are a few short-term spaces between the kiosk site and the former aquarium, but all others are 10-hour and are used by commuters.
Changes to parking would have to be made by the States.
Drying off after a swim in the horseshoe pool was Steve Sharman, a Vive La Vallette group member, who said that the group was determined to make sure users of the changing rooms could get their hot drinks. ‘This is a vitally important social aspect,’ he said.
Currently one of the two public changing rooms has a lock and those who want a key have to pay a one-off sum for the privilege. The plan is for both rooms to be free of charge, he said, with hot showers and lockers available.
The area is also going to be made more accessible. By enhancing the area the group hopes the pools themselves will be looked after and maintained because they are being well-utilised.
A meeting between the group and pool users was held ahead of the news breaking of the plans’ submission.
‘They particularly put their responses to the points that the community of people who use the pools on a regular basis would be aware of,’ said swimmer Mark Torode, adding that one assurance given was that the continued use of the pools and changing facilities would be free.
‘And they said they will have temporary facilities in place during the development period.’
