EXETER'S new swimming pool will be part of a huge leisure complex costing around £20m at the city and will be completed in 2018.
To be constructed next to the Paris Street roundabout, the city council is aiming to build it at the same time as the redevelopment of Exeter's Bus and Coach Station.
It will replace the aging Pyramids pool in Heavitree Road.
Developer Land Securities has confirmed to the Echo that it will be submitting an outline planning application for the whole site early next year.
Business leaders today welcomed plans for the long-awaited redevelopment.
The site will also contain a new bus station and a mix of new shops and restaurants.
The proposed leisure complex will take up the area currently used for the overnight parking of buses. Buses will have to cease parking overnight at the site by the end of summer 2016.
The city council says it is looking at the best examples of pools and leisure facilities all over Europe to ensure Exeter gets the most cost efficient, environmentally-friendly pool possible.
It is also looking to provide a pool which will use the very latest filtration system, doing away with chlorinated water.
The council is now tendering for a design team which will be appointed by January next year.
It wants a 25-metre, eight-lane competition pool with seating for a minimum of 250 spectators.
There will also be a 20-metre, four-lane training pool, as well as a small leisure pool with fun features for children, such as fountains.
Also included in the plan is:
A fitness suite with 100 stations as a minimum.
Three studios that offer versatility for workout use such as aerobics and yoga.
A health suite with sauna, steam room and relaxation area.
A climbing wall for those aged eight upwards, a soft play area for children, and creche.
Seminar rooms and small coffee and snack bar area.
The pool will have a moveable floor so that it will be fully accessible for those in wheelchairs and will also be suitable for games such as water polo.Pictured: Plans for the pool:![]()
Pete Edwards, leader of the city council, said: "This is the next forward step for the city, in providing modern and the best possible leisure facilities for the whole of Exeter.
"When this is built we will be closing the Pyramids which has served the city very well and of which people have very fond memories.
"But we really need to get facilities in the city centre which will encourage people to stay in the city centre after 5pm, and take advantage of our cafés and restaurants and take part in the evening economy.
"Also, Exeter's Health and Well Being Board has pledged to make this the most active city in the South West by 2018, and opening this facility in the summer of 2018 is part of our commitment to that aim.
"We are building it in the city centre as that is the most accessible place for the whole of the city."
Nick Davis, development director for Land Securities, said: "Princesshay continues to trade strongly and is attracting new retailers and restaurants.
"We're keen to build on this momentum with our partners, the Crown Estate, and have agreed development principles with Exeter City Council for the 11.5 acre bus station site.
"A pre-planning consultation is being prepared for a leisure and retail development with a view to submitting an outline planning application in the first quarter of 2015."
The area the leisure complex will take up stretches from the Paris Street roundabout to the bus station.
It is believed that behind it will be a small amphitheatre which will be surrounded by a mix of retail and restaurants.
The new bus station will border Cheeke Street, opposite Vue Cinema.
Karime Hassan, the city council's chief executive, said: "The swimming pool and leisure centre will be paid for by a blend of funding. The city council has ring fenced the proceeds of New Homes Bonus to support this infrastructure project.
"This will significantly reduce the need to borrow to fund this capital infrastructure project. The city council also anticipates income from the Community Infrastructure Levy and asset rationalisation."
Derek Phillips, vice president of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, backed the scheme.
"Exeter Chamber is delighted to see that this iconic site is at last due to be redeveloped," he said.
"It will provide a prime location to enhance Exeter's city appeal both for retail and leisure and in particular for the night time economy.
"It will also provide a great opportunity to provide a showcase public transport gateway to the city."![]()
The history of the Pyramids
EUROPE was on the brink of war when the foundation stone for the City Swimming Baths now known as the Pyramids was laid in May 1939.
Built on what was previously the site of Gould Brothers garage, the baths were designed by John Bennett, architect for the city council.
The foundation stone was laid by the then Mayor Councillor Rowland Glave Saunders.
It opened two years later, again with Cllr Saunders performing the honours as he was still mayor because of the outbreak of war.
The cost of the 100ft pool, which was electrically heated, was £56,000.
Water from the pool was used to put out fires during the blitz on May 4, 1942, when the fire service became short of water.
The baths did not become known as the Pyramids until the 1980s, when they had a makeover with an Egyptian theme.
Pete Edwards, leader of the city council, said: "This is the next forward step for the city, in providing modern and the best possible leisure facilities for the whole of Exeter.
"When this is built we will be closing the Pyramids which has served the city very well and of which people have very fond memories.
"But we really need to get facilities in the city centre which will encourage people to stay in the city centre after 5pm, and take advantage of our cafés and restaurants and take part in the evening economy.
"Also, Exeter's Health and Well Being Board has pledged to make this the most active city in the South West by 2018, and opening this facility in the summer of 2018 is part of our commitment to that aim.
"We are building it in the city centre as that is the most accessible place for the whole of the city."
Nick Davis, development director for Land Securities, said: "Princesshay continues to trade strongly and is attracting new retailers and restaurants.
"We're keen to build on this momentum with our partners, the Crown Estate, and have agreed development principles with Exeter City Council for the 11.5 acre bus station site.
"A pre-planning consultation is being prepared for a leisure and retail development with a view to submitting an outline planning application in the first quarter of 2015."
The area the leisure complex will take up stretches from the Paris Street roundabout to the bus station.
It is believed that behind it will be a small amphitheatre which will be surrounded by a mix of retail and restaurants.
The new bus station will border Cheeke Street, opposite Vue Cinema.
Karime Hassan, the city council's chief executive, said: "The swimming pool and leisure centre will be paid for by a blend of funding. The city council has ring fenced the proceeds of New Homes Bonus to support this infrastructure project.
"This will significantly reduce the need to borrow to fund this capital infrastructure project. The city council also anticipates income from the Community Infrastructure Levy and asset rationalisation."
Derek Phillips, vice president of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, backed the scheme.
"Exeter Chamber is delighted to see that this iconic site is at last due to be redeveloped," he said.
"It will provide a prime location to enhance Exeter's city appeal both for retail and leisure and in particular for the night time economy.
"It will also provide a great opportunity to provide a showcase public transport gateway to the city."
The history of the Pyramids
EUROPE was on the brink of war when the foundation stone for the City Swimming Baths now known as the Pyramids was laid in May 1939.
Built on what was previously the site of Gould Brothers garage, the baths were designed by John Bennett, architect for the city council.
The foundation stone was laid by the then Mayor Councillor Rowland Glave Saunders.
It opened two years later, again with Cllr Saunders performing the honours as he was still mayor because of the outbreak of war.
The cost of the 100ft pool, which was electrically heated, was £56,000.
Water from the pool was used to put out fires during the blitz on May 4, 1942, when the fire service became short of water.
The baths did not become known as the Pyramids until the 1980s, when they had a makeover with an Egyptian theme.