The Outdoor Swimming Society Festive Dip, Parliament Hill Lido, London, Dec 2009

"Outdoor swimming is the most intimate relationship you can have with the natural world, it's only by jumping in... that you can get inside nature..."
poet Owen Sheers, Outdoor Swimming Society, London Dec 2009



... and we think our water's not warm enough ;)

Poor Attendance Myth

[letter to BM Gazette, printed 17-Nov-2010]

Dear Sir/Ms,

We seek to correct the misconception about poor attendance levels at Blackheath Pool (BMG p.1 10-Nov-10).

The Pool has frequently been CLOSED half of the day!

Since re-opening in February 2006, at no time has The Pool been open consistently.

We have had split-shifts, late opening, early closing – a different set of hours each season.

FoBP&MP has worked hard with BM Leisure Centres staff to ensure this season will be different. 

There are to be no mixed messages about opening times.

This season The Pool will be OPEN FULL TIME.

We know consistency is critical - we hear the complaints from visitors & locals alike.

Full-time opening hours and a concerted promotional push is expected to significantly increase both community and tourist patronage. 

There’s extraordinary community goodwill for Blackheath Pool, we want to make it a successful & financially viable season. 

As soon as it opens, come on down everyone & enjoy a swim - all day, every day til 7PM.

Regards,

Simon Hare, Jennifer Kelly, Lyn York,
convenors, Friends of Blackheath Pool & Memorial Park

Sadly 18 DECEMBER is firming as opening day

Wet winter weather slowed BMCC work on balance tank, so sadly 18 DECEMBER is firming as opening day.  There's a slim chance of earlier opening, but it'll require a small miracle - an incredible change to warm, dry weather i.e. La Nina's brother making a sudden return!

However, when it does open, it's all day, every day til 7PM.

A Report due at Council 23-November-2010 states:

"It is unavoidable that rainfall has delayed works on the Blackheath Pool balance tank. Based on the works outstanding and the future weather forecast works are expected to be completed in mid December. There are no realistic options for accelerating the remaining works in order to open the pool by 27th November."

Full report in BMCC Business Paper 'Looking After People' p.74-75 - Item 21: Blackheath Pool Delayed Opening 2010-2011 Season.

slab poured

Concrete slab photographed drying in yesterday's warm morning sun, Sunday 14-Nov-10...

...sadly the weather has broken today - to rain - but initial drying has occurred, so can only be good news.  Note pallets of bricks & pile of sand - clear evidence that pour was a success.

balance tank progress

Our new Centre Suprevisor Jake Burton is doing a great job pulling out all stops to achieve a Blackheath Pool opening as close to 27 November as possible. 

Though we still need a run of dry weather to dry concrete balance tank cover, December 18 is worst case scenario.

Outline as follows:

• tomorrow the concrete slab over the balance tank lid is due to be poured; 
• drying of the concrete is of course weather dependent and best estimate is that it will take a week to dry (to 17 Nov));
• BMCC tradesmen are clear that Pool is high priority;
• sealing, plumbing and tiling works will follow; brick work paving will be completed & lawns rejuvented at same time;
• once paving in place, three new white shade umbrellas & picnic tables will be positioned in consulation with FoBP∓
• final filling  of three pools & two tanks (balance tank & plant tank) will follow;
• two p/t Aquatic Supervisor positions have been appointed – they are Reece Boothroyd & Rebecca Pike – training & familiariseation with Jake next week;
• posters are in distribution – locations include: schools, community noticeboard, station, pubs, libraries, more to follow - you’ll see them around town & further afield;
• inserts have been placed in school newsletters;
• entry wall display-case due to be installed tomorrow;
• change room floors to be re-done under 10-year warranty by original installers;
• new first-aid facility to be insatlled in Ambulance Station;
• in addtuion to season passes, passes to be sold for period 26 dec to 30 Jan $49/adult, $35/child & concession; 10-visit passes also avaliable;
• Twilghlight Family Passes - every Saturday night 5-7PM throughout season $10;
• Aquarobics classes available in four-week blocks – once/week x 45mins, enough have expressed interest for these to be run;
• Learn to swim intensives will be offered dependent on need;
• weed clearance at Pool is being done with environemntally sensetive weedkiller, non-toxic to wildlife;

Thanks to Jake for his commitment & hard work.

LID is on!

Yesterday a crane put in place concrete elements of the balance tank lid.
A very good sign.
There remain some works outstanding, they include:
- A concrete slab laid on top of the lid, weather dependent
- Tiling of the pool at both ends
- Connection of the pipe work and some minor plumbing works
- Restoration of the paving
- Restoration of the grounds

Two views of the lid taken this afternoon:

delay to opening

Final repair work on the balance tank may mean a postponement of proposed opening date.
We are working with BMCC staff & Councillors towards a resolution that sees the Pool open as close to planned 27th November date as possible.


Wet weather may indeed force the delay to 18th December, but this is worst case scenario.