Junior champion declares new pool officially open

Rio 2016 Olympics hopeful Caleb Hughes was on hand to help Rickmansworth School cut the ribbon on their refurbished swimming pool today. Junior World Champion Hughes attended the opening ceremony at the school, where students got the chance to try out the revamped 25m pool for the first time. Rickmansworth School’s former pool closed in November 2012 due to concerns over safety of plant equipment but thanks to grants of £380,000 from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and £150,000 from Sport England it is now back in action. The pool plant room has been replaced and can now allow for changes in water temperature, while a new roof and windows have been built in to retain heat and reduce carbon footprint. The pool will open from 5-10pm Monday to Friday and 8am-6pm on Saturdays and, for the first time, on Sundays. Watford Swimming Club and Active Swim will be the main users of the pool during the community use period. The swimming club will offer sessions for all abilities, while also using it as a training base for the county, regional and national squad. Primary schools will also use the pool to ensure that pupils are able to swim 25m by the end of Year Six- to meet national curriculum requirements. It is hoped that the pool will raise the school’s ability in district and county swimming galas. With the help of Watford Swimming Club the school will resume house swimming competitions. Rickmansworth School head Keith Douglas said: “By securing the funding from Sport England and the EFA, the school has saved the pool from what would been certain closure. By working with the help and assistance of Three Rivers District Council, we have a pool which not only serves the pupils of Rickmansworth School, but also the local community – whether this is young students learning to swim, at competition level or general leisure and fitness.” Director of PE Simon White added: “Swimming is one of the most important life skills that can be learnt whilst at school. Here at Rickmansworth School we are pleased and excited that the longstanding tradition of offering swimming on the curriculum can continue. This is another fantastic sports facility to add to our state of the art sports hall which our pupils benefit from.”