The long-awaited new swimming pool in the south of the borough will be built by the end of the year.

%image(15069153, type="article-full", alt="A 12-metre "Boris pool" like this will be erected in Wanstead.")

Speaking at the Redbridge area committee five last night, council leader, Cllr Keith Prince (Conservative, Barkingside), confirmed the new pool, gym and library complex will be built on Seven Kings car park, High Road, Ilford.

The structure will cost about £1.5m and will be in place for five years.

Cllr Prince, speaking in front of the committee and attending residents at Barley Lane Primary School in Huxley Drive, Chadwell Heath, added that after the five years, the council would have the option of moving the structure.

“We have been frustrated,” he explained, “The gym and library will help neutralise the running costs of the pool, but we can afford it.

“It will regenerate Seven Kings and drag the whole area up.”

The new pool will be built on concrete plinths to avoid more permanent change to the ground.

Cllr Wes Streeting (Labour, Chadwell) said he was “very disappointed” with the plans, and stressed a permanent pool could be erected at “a fraction of the cost.”

In the meantime, a temporary 12-week pool will be put in place in Wanstead, at a cost of £30k.

“It is good news,” added Cllr Prince, “It will help reduce the number of young people wanting to learn, and is something we should be proud of. You can’t put a price on lives.”