Ipswich reveals how new pools would boost Portman Road

The concept of building a new swimming centre on the site of the former cattle market was first proposed in 2006. After being shelved for several years, the proposal was revived two years ago.

Now a Masterplan for the development including the aquatic centre. space for a new hotel and a new multi-storey car park is to be discussed by the borough's executive next week.

The new aquatic centre would replace Crown Pools which is 40 years old this year - and the councillor leading the project said the town would not be left without a large indoor swimming pool during construction.

The new Aquatic Centre would replace Crown Pools. (Image: Newsquest)

John Cook, portfolio holder for sport, said: "Crown Pools needs a lot of maintenance and and requires a huge amount of energy.

"It  makes up a huge proportion of the council's carbon footprint and while we've done what we can, there is a limit to what else we can do."

John Cook welcomed the Masterplan (Image: John Cook)

In the long term he expected its site to be re-used as a residential area - possibly for sheltered housing for people who wanted to live within walking distance of the town centre and Christchurch Park.

One of the key features of the masterplan is closing Portman Road to traffic behind the Cobbold Stand at the football stadium.

This will allow the ground to become more integrated with the leisure-based area, and will also make it easier for the club to achieve its long-term aim of replacing its 1970s-built stand with a new larger development.

The Cobbold Stand could be replaced in the years ahead. (Image: Newsquest)

Ipswich council leader Neil MacDonald said: “This project is set to become a community jewel, a beacon of how sports, leisure, and communal well-being are valued in Ipswich.

"Together, we are not just building facilities; we are building hope, opportunity, and a legacy of communal well-being.

"As we move forward, the focus shifts to attracting forward-thinking investors who share our vision for a healthier, more vibrant Ipswich."

The move was welcomed by the football club whose chief executive Mark Ashton said: “A significant amount of work has been undertaken at the Portman Road grounds over the last three years, with visible improvements to our home during that time, and we are proud to have an average attendance of nearly 29,000 this season.

"The redevelopment of the Cobbold Stand and an increase in capacity has been part of our long-term masterplan for the stadium and, while it must be stressed no work is imminent, we are pleased to have been able to work with Ipswich Borough Council to identify the required land to make this possible.”

Mr Cook said there was still some way to go before work could start - not least because finance for the project had still to be arranged.

Councils were facing tough times - and interest rates for projects from the Public Works Loans Board which had financed much of its capital spending over recent years had gone up significantly.

Conservative Ian Fisher, leader of the opposition at the borough, questioned whether it was right to go ahead with the Portman Road Aquatic Centre before the town's sports centres were rebuilt.

He said: "We've had the excellent news that work is going to start soon on the restoration of Broomhill Lido with £1.8m of borough funding - so I would have thought the next thing we should be looking at was replacing our 1970s-built sports centres.

"We do support the regeneration of the Portman Road area of Ipswich, it will be a great addition to the town, but it does worry me where the money is coming from

"Last month we heard that the council had to find £15m in savings. Now we're having a special meeting to hear about a project that will cost tens of millions of pounds.

"If it happens that will be great - but there are questions hanging over this."