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Baths are another missed opportunity
• AS a former councillor, now partly resident in Ireland, the temptation when I am back in Kentish Town to write to your paper is huge.
The issues in which I was once involved reappear, and it is hard to keep silent. The ‘unfinished business’ prevails on this occasion.
I note with alarm the rising cost of the refurbishment of Kentish Town Baths.
The myopia of the previous administration continues with this one. Both are or were under the thumb of officers who have made commitments to mediocre architects and consultants, and will therefore not think laterally or begin to use their imaginations. At the time of last year’s election over £1 million had been spent on fees.
For half the £25 million, as I have said before, the interior of Kentish Town Baths can be stripped out and redesigned, not only in a way that keeps the pools and fitness areas that we all want, but with spacial commonsense that will also provide proper sightlines and modern changing facilities.
At the same time this wonderful listed building can be transformed into an ecologically sustainable environment of which Camden could be proud. Think anew about green technology to warm the water and service the building. Get rid of the expensive boilers and the antiquated lighting. It is the grotesque bodge-ups of the last 60 years that have brought us to this position.
The Lib Dems, and Councillor Flick Rea, presented themselves as a new broom. In fact they now appear to be as tired as we had suspected. Flick, do think again.
GERRY HARRISON
Inkerman Road, NW5
• RECENTLY the Kentish Town Baths Users Group was set up following
the consultation process.
Our initial meeting was held nearly two weeks ago and the group is made up of a number of articulate and knowledgeable people who are keen, excited and privileged to be included by Camden Council in giving their opinions as to what should be included in every stage of the planning process. We are representing the people of Kentish Town and indeed all the users of the centre.
We are in a unique position of being called upon by Camden Council to express our views as to what we want to see included in the newly refurbished centre.
This week we presented these views and requests to the Scrutiny Panel of Camden Council in order for the latest budget to be accepted. Mention was made by various councillors of the disastrous Clissold Centre which has cost at least £41 million and is standing redundant. This will not happen with Camden Council. Kentish Town Centre will be up and running as soon as all the work has been completed and I have every confidence that it will continue to serve users for a very long time to come. Unfortunately, as with all cases of pool closures, there has to be some discomfort and suffering and I am aware that many children in our schools are not receiving swimming lessons. As this is something I am deeply involved with, I am obviously concerned.
I have been in this situation, my schoolchildren were the last school to use Haggerston Baths and Clissold Baths, both in Hackney. However, I used my initiative and after a while managed to arrange swimming lessons for my children out of borough.
This sometimes has to happen in the short term in order for it to be beneficial in the long term. Incidentally, Hackney Council did not consult with users in the way in which Camden is and I would like to reiterate the appreciation members of the users group have for the council.
I want to be included every step of the way along the route to our centre opening again and I know my fellow user group members share these sentiments.
BRENDA HUMPHREYS
Chair of London Schools’ Swimming Association
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