Swimming Pool renovation at National Sports Centre

The swimming pool machinery, pumps and other equipment in the National Sports Centre is to be replaced. This machinery and equipment - which keeps the pool working - is nearing the end of its operational life.

This renovation work is due to start in autumn 2007. While this will cause some short term disruption - including the closure of the pool and other facilities at the National Sport Centre for up to six months - these works will ensure that swimming continues at the National Sports Centre through to 2012.

Val Shawcross, Member of the London Assembly said:"I am really pleased that the LDA is taking these steps to keep 50m swimming in Crystal Palace Park. The replacement of the machinery that keeps the pool working is overdue. Although it will mean the temporary closure of the National Sports Centre, this is a vital investment that will allow first class 50 metre swimming to continue at Crystal Palace."

In the longer term, the London Development Agency (LDA) plans to build a new regional sports facility - including swimming - in Crystal Palace Park after 2012 and remodel the athletics stadium. The existing National Sports Centre building will be converted for dry sports uses, such as 5-aside football and indoor hockey. International athletic events will move to the Olympic Stadium at Stratford.

Major sporting events such as the athletics Grand Prix and the London Youth Games will continue at Crystal Palace until at least 2012.

After 2012, the London Development Agency plans to build a new regional sports centre, reconfigure the stadium and convert the existing National Sports Centre (NSC) building - a change from our original proposal to demolish it. This follows extensive discussions with English Heritage. We now plan to convert the NSC for dry sports uses, such as 5-aside football and indoor hockey.

For further details on the temporary closure of the NSC, contact Charles Anglin on tel: 020 7357 6606 email: charles.anglin@localdialogue.com