The long-awaited expansion of Hyde's swimming pool has been unveiled and will be open to the public for the first time this weekend.

There was an official plaque opening of the six-lane, 25-metre pool at Active Hyde on Thursday evening (22 July). 

Complete with a changing room, spectator seating and accessible facilities, the pool was opened by Tameside Council Leader Cllr Brenda Warrington, who was joined by the Civic Mayor of Tameside Cllr Janet Cooper and Active Tameside staff.  

The project began in February 2020 and is part of Tameside Council’s £20 million investment into leisure resources.  

£4 million was spent on the improvement of Hyde pool and the works were carried out by HH Smith & Sons, who have worked on Ashton Old Baths and Gorton Monastery.  

Opening to the public on Saturday (24 July), the facilities will have the capacity to offer swimming lessons for up to 1,100 children and will become the new home of Dukinfield Marlins Amateur Swimming Club.  

All the pool’s energy is also going to be supplied by solar panel technology, which will save an estimated £40,000 a year on running costs. 

Cllr Warrington added: “I’m delighted that this project is now complete and we will soon be able to open the doors so that our residents can make the most of the wonderful facilities that have been created. 

“We want to support people in keeping as active and healthy as possible and this new pool is a fantastic addition to the existing facilities at Hyde Leisure Pool to give users even more ways of keeping fit and having fun.” 

An official opening ceremony took place on Thursday evening

Reg Patel, Active Tameside’s Deputy CEO and Director of Operations and Asset Development, worked with the council’s team on the Hyde Pool project. 

He said: “It’s an exciting and outstanding achievement by both the trust and the council which will serve many generations for years to come. The council has developed this facility very, very effectively and it’s great to bring it to fruition. It’s going to make such a difference to the community. 

 “In addition to Hyde Leisure Pool, which is geared towards fun for all the family, we can bring in lane swimming, aquatic exercise and swimming lessons to a greater capacity. It means we can start to present a healthier option for Hyde and the surrounding areas.  

“It also means we can now offer a whole scheme of swimming lessons to really push on and feed the clubs but more importantly to give young people the opportunity to become competent swimmers. More than just a pool, it’s a game changer which will enhance and strengthen the community. 

“We’re fortunate in Tameside that the council has prioritised health because other authorities are closing facilities. 

“You need to give people spaces and opportunities to exercise and if you give them those services at the appropriate standard there’s a higher probability of them participating.” 

What the pool looks like

Active Tameside are a charitable, not-for-profit trust which run borough wide community centres and wellbeing programmes. This is their second major project in the last 15 months, after they opened a £15 million Tameside Wellness Centre in Denton in February 2020. 

Chief Executive at Active Tameside Chris Rushton added: “Active Tameside is truly privileged to be launching another exceptional facility so soon after the Tameside Wellness Centre in Denton which has been hugely successful despite the impact of the pandemic. 

“At a time when the demand for aquatic activity in all its facets exceeds our ability to meet it, and not just because of Covid Secure protocols, the extension could not be opening at a better time. 

“Swimming is a life skill and a skill for life and there can be no doubt that the health of the community as a whole will benefit from an exceptional facility which will be almost full from day one.” 

The six-lane, 25-metre pool at Active Hyde

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds visited the pool with his children on Friday and was impressed with the facility, which he described as "a tremendous asset for Hyde and all of Tameside". 

He said: "Absolute privilege to visit the new Hyde swimming pool today. The facilities are superb and you will notice the whole complex has been improved, with more space in the reception and the gym and pool now being fully integrated. I’m also really pleased to see full disability access is standard throughout, including a Changing Places toilet and independent access for wheelchair users to the pool.

"This is a tremendous asset for Hyde and all of Tameside. It represents an investment of £4 million that will provide first class facilities for decades and also build on Hyde’s historic association with swimming. Huge thanks to Active Tameside and Tameside Council for delivering on this - and in time for the summer holidays!" 

Although he welcomes the pool extension, Phil Chadwick, Conservative councillor for Hyde Werneth, believes it has taken too long to complete and cost more than it should have done.  

He commented: "For the last few years, I've publicly called out the Labour councillors for the ongoing delays over the new swimming pool in Hyde. I am pleased the people of Hyde will finally get to swim in their new pool after it being used as an election campaign for five local elections.  

“Active Tameside should be proud of this new facility that’s been added to their leisure portfolio. However, the pool has been built two years later than promised and is over budget, costing the Tameside taxpayer approximately £1.5 million more than it should have done!” 

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