Olympic medallist backs St Sidwell’s Point

Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medallist Rebecca Adlington OBE is backing St Sidwell’s Point in Exeter.

Rebecca, who swam in four Olympic finals winning two gold and two bronze medals in Beijing and London, said she is ‘delighted’ to hear of the project.

St Sidwell’s Point will feature three swimming pools, including a confidence pool to help encourage youngsters to learn to swim at a young age.

“Swimming has obviously been a major part of my life” she said.

“My love of swimming started on family holidays with my parents and two sisters, we’d spend every waking moment in the pool.  As well as being fun, swimming is such a vital life skill as well.  For that reason I’m always delighted when I learn about potential new swimming pool developments, such as St Sidwell’s Point, which can provide the facilities for communities to learn this life skill and have fun as a family.”

Three developments will be built in Exeter’s City Centre in the area known as St Sidwell’s Quarter - Princesshay, a brand new bus station, and St Sidwell’s Point.

St Sidwell’s Point will be a world class leisure attraction, boasting a health suite and spa, crèche and two floors of soft play plus an extensive fitness suite.

Three pools will have spectator seating for 250 people and have already received support from both the Amateur Swimming Association and Royal Life Saving Society.

Cllr Phil Bialyk, portfolio holder for Sport, Health and Wellbeing which includes St Sidwell’s Point said: “We are thrilled that someone of Rebecca’s calibre is delighted at the scheme. She is a great ambassador for the sport and was herself encouraged at a young age.

“Family will be at the heart of our leisure complex – as well as giving room for adults to enjoy their own space too.

“Having amazing facilities here in the city centre is going to be a great incentive to get people into the water – whatever their fitness level.”