Council sets record straight on Reg Maxwell Swimming Pool

Archived press release

Date Published: 05/03/09

AVDC has hit back at claims being made about the disused Reg Maxwell Swimming Pool in Aylesbury.

There has been considerable local media coverage this week regarding the pool and allegations about the electricity supply being left on since the building was decommissioned in 2001.

Nigel Brooke, Corporate Director (Services), said: “Between 2001 and 2007 the electricity supply was still connected so that the lights could be switched on to enable regular maintenance inspections to take place, safely. The lights were not left on between visits.

“In June 2007, after a couple of break-ins when intruders switched on the lights, the electricity supply was disabled so that the lights could only be turned on from a plant room in another building. We used our own electrical contractors to carry out this work. EDF Energy was not needed.

“During the last break-in, the remaining swimming pool facilities were trashed. This is believed to have taken place around the same time as the making of the film clips now shown on You Tube but it is not possible to make a direct link between the two incidents. Significant measures have been taken to secure the building from intruders.

“We can also confirm that the re-usable gym equipment in the building was removed in 2002 leaving only a few unusable items.”

The Reg Maxwell Swimming Pool will be demolished to make way for the multi-million pound Waterside retail scheme. The current site of the building will be replaced by Debenhams, who will open a three-storey department store in the new shopping centre.