WHITCHURCH’S new swimming pool could be open for Easter 2025, three months ahead of schedule, as contractors continue to make excellent progress.

The assessment was made by Peter Gilbertson, senior project management officer for Shropshire Council, who is overseeing the building for the authority.

He guided councillors including leader Councillor Lezley Picton as well as Whitchurch members Peggy Mullock, Gerald Dakin and Tom Biggins on a tour of the new building.

They were joined by portfolio holder Cllr Rob Macey on the tour on Thursday, August 8 and Peter admitted his delight at the progress so far and says they eye a potential early opening.

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He said: “This has been a fantastic team effort.

A pool full of water in Whitchurch. A pool full of water in Whitchurch. (Image: Newsquest.)

“We had fantastic architects on Roberts Limbrick, we’ve had a brilliant contractor in Pellikaan who are way ahead of schedule and the project management team too.

"It’s been a happy team that’s worked together well and I think the building is looking fantastic – it looks exactly like the drawings submitted for planning permission.

The fitness and dance studio at the new facility in Whitchurch. The fitness and dance studio at the new facility in Whitchurch. (Image: Newsquest.) “The outside is nearly finished and the next few months we’re going to be focusing on the electric and the tiling and the finishing.

“As soon as it’s ready, it’ll open.

An overview of the pool at the new facility in Whitchurch before changing room walls will be built. An overview of the pool at the new facility in Whitchurch before changing room walls will be built. (Image: Newsquest.)

“Our operator Alliance Leisure will be responsible for fitting it out and will work very closely with Pellikaan who will do a lot of the fittings.

“After that, we will open – we originally said we would open in summer 2025 with our expectation around June time.

Bricklayers Billy Vaughan (left) and Rob Marshall from J&P Builders at the new site. Bricklayers Billy Vaughan (left) and Rob Marshall from J&P Builders at the new site. (Image: Newsquest.)

“But Pellikaan are saying they’re three months ahead of schedule so if we can get this open for the Easter holiday break then that’s our aim.

“That’s about getting electrics, BT cables, the fixtures and fittings and then there is staff recruitment and training.

The new Whitchurch swimming pool completed exterior. The new Whitchurch swimming pool completed exterior. (Image: Newsquest.)

“We’re hoping to see job adverts around Christmas time where most will bCouncillors view the Whitchurch swimming pool completed exterior. Councillors view the Whitchurch swimming pool completed exterior. (Image: Newsquest.) e locally recruited and trained, such as lifeguards etc.”

The special guests were shown the pool area, which was full of water as a test for its capacity, leaving councillors delighted to have an early view.

Peter also explained how the pool's floor can be altered to be a traditional deep end or as low as six inches high for youngsters, with easy access for all to enter the pool.

Councillors Paul Wynne, Tom Biggins, Gerald Dakin and Peggy Mullock outside the Whitchurch swimming pool. Councillors Paul Wynne, Tom Biggins, Gerald Dakin and Peggy Mullock outside the Whitchurch swimming pool. (Image: Newsquest.)

They also toured where the new gym will be, with its view over the town, as well as the prospective fitness studios as the building’s main area is completed.

Cllr Macey, Portfolio holder for culture and media, admitted his hopes also for an early start but did not want to put any curse on the progress being made so far.

He said: “We’re very excited.

“It only feels like yesterday that we were outside looking at doing the demolition of the old building.

“Now it’s up, the building has got the cladding up too and the pool has got water in to test it too.

Councillors Paul Wynne, Tom Biggins, Gerald Dakin, Lezley Picton and Peggy Mullock outside the Whitchurch swimming pool. Councillors Paul Wynne, Tom Biggins, Gerald Dakin, Lezley Picton and Peggy Mullock outside the Whitchurch swimming pool. (Image: Newsquest.)

“From our point of view, we have to thank the contractors.

“We’ve stuck to the timetables and you can see that it’s there and it’s a much-improved facility for the town for years to come.

“I don’t want to jinx it but the contractors are doing great on site so if we can bring it forward for people then that’s what we want to do.”

Cllr Mullock added: “This is what the town has needed for years.

“I’ll be going away to tell people that I’ve seen it and it’s going to be brilliant.

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“It’s going to be for people who are few months old to pensioners and everyone can use it.

“Once people realise that the floor can be altered, they will realise there’s so many opportunities for them.

“It’s going to be genuinely accessible and for the way they have worked through this weather is brilliant.”