Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

34. Some of the stakeholders requested that the Executive Summary shouldmake a stronger case for the importance of sport and physical activity inrelation to economic growth and regeneration, crime and crime prevention,and its place in the planning policies. The Executive Summary wasstrengthened in response to this.35. There was strong support for an improved swimming pool network in the city,including from the National Governing Body of the sport and local people. Inconsidering the needs for the future replacement of the city’s larger pools,careful consideration will be given to prevailing needs in respect to overallpool size and dimensions, this will also take account of the area of waterrequired across the city and the need to ensure good levels of accessibility topools.Community survey findings36. The following are the key findings from the community survey of August 2009,for which 519 completed questionnaires were received. For full analysis seeAppendix 22.City wide:A very positive response was received to all of the proposals. The greatestuncertainty was in relation to an indoor bowls centre. In terms of priorities,the indoor climbing centre had a much higher level of support than any otherproposal, with the indoor tennis, indoor bowls, the velopark, and the sportsvillages coming second.Eastern area:There was generally a very positive response, with particularly strong supportfor Willfield pool and the Park Hall Academy’s proposals (now the 20:20Discovery Academy). There were more mixed feelings in relation to theHolden Lane proposals. In terms of the priorities, in order of importance:Willfield pool, golf at Park Hall Golf Course, and the Park Hall Academy.However, the priorities were more evenly spread than for the other areas.Northern area:There was a very positive response to the swimming pool proposal atDimensions. Other proposals also generally received a positive response.There were more mixed feelings about the proposals at Chatterley Whitfield,St Margaret’s Ward, and Brownhills High School. In terms of priorities, therewas strong support for a new pool at Dimensions, but others also registered,including Ball Green Youth Centre (2 nd ) and St Margaret’s Ward (3 rd ).South Eastern area:Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 86Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009 – 2016October 2009