Anyone who has learned to swim at St James' Pool, taken their children there or stood poolside during seemingly endless swimming lessons will know just how important the facility has been to generations of West Norfolk families.

But after more than 50 years, the building is reaching the end of its economic life and West Norfolk Council is now pressing ahead with plans for its replacement.

Councillors agreed at Thursday night's full council meeting to move the proposed new aquatic centre at Lynnsport into its next stages of development.

The current estimate for actually building the centre is £22.9 million.

If eventually approved, the new facility would include an eight-lane, 25-metre main swimming pool and a four-lane, 17-metre learner pool with a moveable floor.

There would also be an interactive splash pad, sauna, new changing facilities and reception, together with additional car parking.

Accessibility is intended to be an important part of the design, with features including a wheelchair access platform and the adjustable floor in the learner pool.

Concept image supplied by King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.

£845,000 to develop the plans

Thursday's decision does not mean the council has given final approval for the £22.9 million centre to be built.

Instead, councillors have agreed £845,609.17 to take the project through the next two design and development phases, known as RIBA stages two and three.

That money will pay for detailed design work, surveys, technical investigations, planning work, cost planning and the professional services needed to establish exactly what can be delivered and how much it is likely to cost.

Once that work has been completed, councillors will still have another important decision to make.

The council papers make clear that proceeding with these stages "does not commit the council to proceeding with the construction".

In other words, there is still some distance to swim before anyone starts filling the new pool with water.

Why replace St James'?

St James' Swimming Pool opened in 1975 and has now served the area for more than half a century.

But its age is increasingly catching up with it.

The council says the building has reached the end of its economic life, with its ageing infrastructure and inefficient design making it increasingly expensive to maintain and operate.

Deputy council leader Simon Ring said providing modern swimming facilities was important for everyone from swimming clubs and youngsters learning to swim to residents simply wanting to become more active.

“People in West Norfolk deserve the very best,” he said.

“In West Norfolk, we need modern, affordable and accessible facilities for club swimming, learn-to-swim programmes and public sessions, to help all our residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get active.”

Councillor Ring said the existing pool would eventually have to close regardless of whether a replacement was built.

“Investing in new, modern swim facilities is central to our duty to modernise and future-proof sport and leisure in West Norfolk,” he said.

“The old pool is at the end of its life and will eventually have to close, whether or not it is replaced.”

Lynnsport chosen as preferred option

A number of possibilities have previously been considered for the future of swimming in King's Lynn.

Following feasibility work and public feedback, the council's preferred option is now a standalone aquatic centre at Lynnsport.

Councillor Ring said the project was about more than simply replacing one swimming pool with another.

“This is not simply an investment in facilities, but in healthier people, stronger communities and inclusive life opportunities,” he said.

“Alongside the larger main pool, we’re also planning a learner pool plus an interactive splashpad to build water confidence and a fun experience for all ages and abilities.”

There is also a wider ambition for Lynnsport to become recognised for accessible and disabled sport.

“Our ambition is for Lynnsport to become a nationally recognised centre of excellence for accessible and disabled sport, where disability is never a barrier,” Councillor Ring said.

“That ambition must be designed in from the beginning. The wheelchair access platform, moveable learner pool floor and splash pad will make the centre accessible to far more people, whether learning, rebuilding confidence or training and competing.”

What happens next?

The next few months should turn the broad vision into a much more detailed proposal.

Council officers currently expect a planning application could be ready for submission in March 2027.

That timing could also prove important because of potential changes to local government in Norfolk.

Concerns have previously been raised that local government reorganisation could ultimately leave decisions over major West Norfolk projects involving a new authority or joint arrangements covering a much larger area.

On the council's current timetable, however, the planning application is expected to be submitted while the project remains under the existing borough council.

Even then, there will still be the much bigger question of whether to commit the public money required to actually build it.

Councillor Ring said making that decision now would be too early.

“Asking for a final decision at this stage would be premature, given the further homework yet to do around this option and the significant level of potential public investment involved,” he said.

“Our phased approach to project development is normal for major projects and ensures openness, accountability and discussion with all elected councillors at key decision points.”

So, for now, King's Lynn hasn't quite got its new swimming pool.

But after Thursday night's decision, the council has effectively given the project permission to move into the changing room and get ready for the next stage.