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Friday 2nd December, 2005

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EXCLUSIVE By RICHARD OSLEY

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REVEALED: POOL PLAN

Leisure chief confirms negotiations over new site

LEISURE chiefs have confirmed they could replace the Prince of Wales Baths with a new pool elsewhere in Kentish Town.
In a briefing for the New Journal on Thursday, Town Hall director of culture and environment Peter Bishop said the Victorian baths could be sold off if they became surplus to requirements.
He confirmed the council was in negotiations with a property developer to determine whether a new pool could be built on land next to Talacre Sports Centre in Dalby Road. Ironically, the site was once owned by the council and only recently sold for a new housing development. Officials now hope to get some of the land back in a “joint venture” with the developer.
Mr Bishop said: “It (the Talacre scheme) depends on getting a deal that works. If we do, we think we could have a project that delivers exactly the same facilities that we are proposing for Kentish Town baths but for less money.
“It would mean we could retain Kentish Town baths during the construction period and we would close them when the new facility was available. If we can do that, we will have done well.”
He added: “There is a big ‘if’ on Talacre but we are in discussions with the developer. I think the odds have shortened considerably, it’s about 50-50.
“If it (the Talacre scheme) doesn’t work then we will have to go back to the original scheme of refurbishing Prince of Wales baths.”
The interview with Mr Bishop was set up in a bid to crush speculation surrounding the future of the baths. Camden remains committed to providing a swimming pool in Kentish Town. But no one at the Town Hall will guarantee that the Prince of Wales Road baths will be refurbished.
Mr Bishop said: “Frankly, the Kentish Town baths are squalid. They have come to the end of their life and they are in need of refurbishment. If the Talacre scheme went ahead, we wouldn’t keep both. We haven’t made a decision but clearly if it (Prince of Wales baths) was surplus to requirements, we would look to sell it off or find another use for the building.
“If Talacre works it provides exactly what we would provide at Prince of Wales Road. If that’s the case we don’t need Kentish Town. I can understand people feeling attached to a building but ultimately we wouldn’t hold onto a building and mothball it without a use. There are various people in the market looking for space.”
The Talacre plan is likely to be compared, on the basis of cost and value, with the current £17-million proposal to refurbish and improve the Prince of Wales Road baths. Mr Bishop said both schemes will then be subject to public consultation and a final decision by Labour councillors early next year.
He added: “The council is absolutely committed to providing swimming in Kentish Town and when people see the schemes that are being suggested I think they will be knocked out by them.
“We know how important swimming facilities are to the community and we are committed to providing high-quality facilities.”

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