Swim star Jessica gets preview of new £8m pool

Royton’s new pool takes shape

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Top Oldham swimmer Jessica Fullalove swopped her swim cap for a hard hat as she toured the new pool under construction at Royton’s £8 million sport centre.

The 18-year-old Royton swim star, who competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and won three silver medals at last year’s Youth Olympics, was impressed at the centre’s facilities, which will open next year.

She was joined by Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon at the Byron Street development.

Jessica said: “The centre will be great for Royton and the surrounding areas. I’m thrilled that Royton will get an Olympic legacy pool and I hope it will inspire more people to swim when it opens.”

As part of the Olympic Facilities Legacy Fund, the centre was awarded a pool tank and a grant of £134,000 from Sport England to support installation. The new pool is the same design as an Olympic training pool.

Councillor McMahon said: “The opening of this wonderful facility is just around the corner and this funding from Sport England is giving Royton a lasting Olympic legacy for the area — a commitment we made when we announced the new leisure centres for Royton and Oldham.

“The centre will not only be a great place where parents can bring their children to swim, it will also be a place where swimmers like Jessica can come and train.”

As well as the new six-lane pool with spectator seating, the new centre has an 80-station fitness gym, two exercise/dance studios, a 60-space car park and a separate learner pool.