Primary school children and swimming clubs will be able to use a new six-lane pool at a secondary private school.
Fee-paying Latymer Upper School has been given permission to upgrade its existing 1975 four-lane pool set between its base in King Street, Hammersmith, and the River Thames.
The refurbished sports hall will boast a climbing wall and gymnastics studio within the expanded part one, part two-storey glass-clad building.
Headteacher David Goodhew said the school was keen to expand its facilities for community use and for its competitive swimming team, which includes year 10 pupil Georgina Boyle who is the national freestyle champion.
“Community use is very important to us,” he said.
“With increased changing rooms and additional lane capacity, we can offer primary schools and swimming clubs more use of the pool.
“We know how important it is for children to learn to swim and a nice outcome will be to work with our primary schools to ensure all pupils become strong swimmers before leaving primary school.”
Four primary schools in Hammersmith currently use Latymer’s pool once week, as well as Chelsea and Westminster Swimming Club. It is hoped more schools and clubs could use the new pool.
A moveable floor in the new pool will allow a sub-aqua diving club for disabled people to use the facilities, while enabling the school’s competitive athletes to train in faster conditions.
Construction could begin next spring and last for 18 months. During this time, the school has arranged alternative arrangements for its current users in other pools around the borough.
