Youth Annexe at the Baths

Young adults’ club programme It has not been possible to open the Youth Annexe at the Baths because of ongoing work to the Olympic Hall and the Warwick Hall. However, we are hoping that it will be open in October, and there will be a seven-day programme of activities each week. The youth services team is busy working on a supervised programme of events for all local young people to become involved in. In September, the final touches will be made to the new youth annexe opening for young adults from eleven up to 25 year olds (core group from 13 to 19 years). Provisions have been made for direct access from Harvey Road, with use of multipurpose workshop areas, a cafe and breakout area and quick access through to the sports hall and Warwick Hall to bring young people and leisure activity closer together. There will be a range of opportunities on offer for young people including open access youth projects and specialist services such as volunteering and information, advice and guidance available. We will also be working closely with Fusion to develop opportunities for access to the leisure centre.

May news

Don't be alarmed when you see scaffolding going up outside CamberwellBaths. It's‘face-lift’. Funds have been secured to enable the front of the building to be repaired, cleaned and redecorated. The window sashes will be inspected and replaced where required, as will any broken windows. The best news of all is that the clock is to be inspected to see if we can get it working again. The scaffolding will be in place for approximately two months and the Baths will be open as usual. Olympic Hall and Warwick Hall During July construction is expected to start on redeveloping the sports hall ( Olympic) and Warwick Hall. The sports hall will have a new glazed roof light, audio visual system and will be air conditioned. As soon as we have the new floor plan to share with you it will be displayed in the cafe along with the list of games which could be played when the hall floor is levelled. Warwick Hall is also being transformed. The old ceiling is being removed to expose the beautiful Victorian roof structure allowing the classes to enjoy lots of natural daylight. The old floor is being replaced with a new sprung sports floor and the studio will be air conditioned. The area will also have improved acoustic treatment and a full audio visual system.

Look how far we have come

When sorting through my archives recently I came across these plans from a company of architects. They show how the refurbishment of the pool would have been achieved through the redevelopment of the area at the back of the Baths. So we would have had no 30 station gym, no youth centre, no Warwick Hall and no Olympic (Sports) Hall.

Makes you think doesn't it?

http://ashsak.com/camberwell-baths-london-grade-ii/

Olympic Capital Legacy Fund: Latest News

Dear Supporter

I have just heard that following the application from the Camberwell Baths Campaign, the Olympic Capital Legacy Funding Panel has recommended that the Sports Hall (now to be known as the Olympic Hall) should receive £490K from the fund! The decision will now go forward for approval to Southwark Council (specifically Cllr Livingstone).

Matched with the £500K from Southwark Council's capital programme, that means that we will have reached our target for total refurbishment of the Olympic Hall.

We cannot celebrate just yet as the decision has not been ratified by Southwark Council, but should be in about 2 weeks.

Please find below the link to the full report on the Olympic Capital Legacy Bid. I have also taken out some of the key points for you:

http://moderngov.southwarksites.com/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=22879

Ten projects are recommended for full or part award. These are:

§ Bethwin Road Playground’s bid for a multi use games area in Bethwin Road

for £95K

§ Southwark Tennis Club’s bid for support for a BMX Track for Burgess Park

for £150K

§ The Camberwell Baths Campaign’s bid for a further phase of refurbishment

to the Camberwell Leisure Centre Sports Hall for £490K

§ Herne Hill Velodrome Trust’s bid for a contribution towards refurbishment of

the Herne Hill Velodrome track for £400K

§ Athenlay Football Club’s bid for a Sports Ground Development in Homestall

Road for £175k

§ Peckham Town Football Club’s bid for an Outdoor disability multi-sports court

for £85K

§ Fusion’s bid for a disability Pool Hoist for the Peckham Pulse Healthy Living

Centre for £5.6K

§ The parks and open spaces’ service bid for upgrading the Peckham Rye

pitches & changing rooms for £200K

§ The sports services’ bid for a contribution towards the redevelopment of the

Southwark Park Sports complex for £370K

§ Trinity in Camberwell’s bid for an outdoor sports area in Camberwell for £30K

The Camberwell Baths Campaign’s bid for a further phase of refurbishment to

the Camberwell Leisure Centre Sports Hall is a community driven proposal that

upgrades a significantly under used facility located in an area of high demand. 5

The sports hall forms the final phase in the wider refurbishment of the leisure

centre and would greatly increase usable space. The bid offers minimum risk

with achievable and realistic costs that afford good value for money. The board

felt that this bid would afford a strong legacy and would very likely improve

access to and participation in sport. For this reason, this project is recommended

to be funded to 99% of the amount applied for.

Four projects are not recommended to be funded. These are:

• London Southbank University’s (LSBU) bid for a new entrance to the LSBU

sports centre for £309.5K

• The Peckham Settlement’s bid for a new ‘Southwark run training facility’ in

the Peckham Settlement for £70K

• Sustrans’ bid for the ‘Connect2’ and ‘South Bermondsey Link’ projects for

£461K

• Tideways Sailability’s bid for an ability centre and pontoon access to the

River Thames for £490K

New Gym opens on Saturday 24 September

At last the new gym is opening! The revamped, larger gym will open its doors on Saturday 24 September. I understand that there will be 30 workout stations and all of the latest fitness equipment, as well as new changing rooms.

I would suggest a look at the Fusion website ( http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/Camberwell_Leisure_Centre) for all of the details on what will be available, as well as costs of membership.

However, there is a chance to win Choice memberships in a competition which is being run by Fusion. The entry is online at www.southwark.gov.uk/camberwell , or you can complete a form at Camberwell Baths .

The closing date for the competition is 15 September and winners will be notified on 20 September.

Olympic Capital Legacy Fund Stage 1

We have just heard that our application for the refurbishment of the Sports Hall has been recommended to continue to Phase 2 of the process. We have applied for £500K for the refurbishment of the Sports Hall. Below is an outline of our application request.

The opening of the pool in February will be followed by the gym, dry-side changing rooms, Warwick Hall and Youth Area in September 2011. These works are defined as Phase 2 and 3. The contractors will remain on site until this date. This means that considerable savings would be achieved should funding be available to proceed with Phase 4 development in 2011.The only remaining areas of the centre requiring significant investment to bring them up to modern standards are the Sports Hall, and the 2^nd class entrance off Harvey Road. The Sports Hall currently features a sunken area (approximating the former pool tank) which is used for football and badminton sessions. The hall has poor heating and ventilation, and due to a lack of maintenance and investment, the roof and lantern windows leak, and poor insulation results large energy losses from the building. These works are defined as Phase 4.

It is the Sports Hall which is the subject of the application for funds from the Olympic Legacy Project. The total cost for refurbishing the Sports Hall is £1,097,806.

As a campaigning body, Camberwell Baths is encouraging the Executive Committee of Southwark Council to allocate funding from the Capital Programme fund to complete Phase 4 of the refurbishment. However, at the time of writing it is unclear the level of funding which may be awarded. It is in this context that an application has been made to the Olympic Legacy Project, putting forward Phase 4 development of Camberwell Leisure Centre as an appropriate legacy project for the people of Camberwell. This funding would allow the completion of a high quality project.

We would recommend that the Sports Hall is renamed The Olympic Hall in recognition of this legacy.

Camberwell Leisure Centre holds an important place in the strategic development of Camberwell in terms of its contribution not only to health and well being, but also is a symbol of civic pride. With the closure of the Town Hall, Camberwell Leisure Centre will be the only heritage building in Camberwell which is open to the public. It therefore represents a rare opportunity for local residents to immerse themselves in living history. It is rare, being one of only 13 Victorian swimming pools in England which is still open for public use. The critical role that it will play in terms of engaging young people to participate in sports and leisure activities is also critical.

Camberwell Baths: Community Open Day on Saturday March 12 from 10am

As you know the pool is now open and some of you have already had the chance to look round and also have a swim. This Saturday there will be the chance of FREE SWIMMING from 11am to 3pm. This has been organised by Fusion, and they are also funding it.

You will need to book though as safety rules mean that only 100 people are allowed in the pool at any one time. There is a number you can call before the day to prebook your free session, which is 0844 893 3888.

The four sessions are 11-12, 12.30-1.30, 2-3 and 3.30- 4.30.

Alternatively, just turn up on the day and book a slot. If you have to wait around for your swim, then there will a marquee in the car park with lots of activities going on, including Tai Chi. The marquee will be open from 10am to 3pm.

There is an opening ceremony just after 10am, which will be run by Southwark Council. After that there is a display of synchronised swimming by Out to Swim Angels!

The timings are below.

10am - Marquee opens - exhibition displays (historical and plans for new gym), Community Games coach advising on fitness, face painting, badge making, local community table, tea and coffee

10.10 - The welcome address and cutting the ribbon to declare the centre doors open

10.20 - Visitors are admitted to the balcony to be seated (first 100 only)

10.30 - Commemorative synchronisation swimming display - Out to Swim Angels

11am - First of four free swimming sessions starts (100 people admitted at a time)

11.10 - Cutting of the celebratory cake in the marquee (or outside in Artichoke Place if sunny/dry)

12.30 to 1.30 - Tai Chi demonstration and workshop (visitors will be encouraged to join in)

Enjoy!