Ipswich Borough Council operates a comprehensive range of swimming activities at both Crown Pools and Fore Street Pool
Fore Street pool information Swimming Pools Timetables Special Events March-May 08 (Word Doc)
Pay per visit prices
Admissions Policy: Ipswich Borough Council operates a standard admissions policy to all its swimming facilities in the interest of customer safety. "A responsible adult over the age of 16 is required to supervise children under the age of 8 years. One adult is only allowed to supervise two under 8's at any one time. The adult must accompany the child/children in the water AT ALL TIMES."
Crown Pools,
Crown Street,
Ipswich, IP1 3JA,
Tel: (01473) 433655
Email:
crown.pools@ipswich.gov.uk Crown Pools boasts some of the finest leisure facilities in the region, which combines three superb swimming facilities within a sub tropical atmosphere. It also acts as an ideal venue from which to stage a variety of events including product launches, fashion shows and major swimming competitions. There are large and small lockers available, which use £1.00 coin and 20p coins respectively (both fully refunded after use). Crown Pools offers the following facilities and services:
- Competition Pool
- Leisure Pool
- Teaching Pool
- Disabled Facilities
- Ground floor and 1st floor vending areas
- Profiles Fitness Suite
- Aqua Fitness
- Swimming Development/Lessons
- Creche
- Children's Parties
- Vitality Health Suite (sauna & steam rooms)
- People Dryer
- Swimming Galas
- Special Events/Corporate
Competition Pool
The eight lane 25 metre competition pool is amongst the finest of its kind in Europe. Whilst providing an extensive exercise and fitness programme throughout the week, the facility can also cater for national and international swimming championships with spectator seating for up to 600 and full timing equipment/scoreboard.
Leisure Pool
The leisure pool is the ideal facility for the family and children with a beach area, wave machine and water fountains, which are all set amongst tropical planting. Open for casual use throughout the facilities operational hours you are guaranteed a relaxing fun time.
Teaching Pool
The teaching pool is a single depth pool of 0.75m, which is separated from the other facilities by raised beds of tropical planting. This facility provides the ideal environment in which to introduce infants to water.
Toddler Fun Sessions
These are held in the Teaching Pool every Monday and Thursday afternoon from 1.30 to 2.30 (except Bank Holidays). These sessions are suitable for all toddlers and their parents. There's no need to book and no extra charge (normal admission fee applies). Just turn up and we'll provide the toys, floats, watering cans and other toys for you and your child to enjoy.
Disabled Facilities
• Entrance via ramps through automatic doors
• Lowered desk and induction sound loop at reception
• Dedicated disabled changing room with electric hoist, chairs, and beds which can all be taken into the water via hoist
• 4 disabled/family changing cubicles
• Appropriate toilet and lowered shower facilities
• Pools accessed via ramps with beach entry to Leisure Pool
• Hoist available into competition pool
• 2 wheelchairs available and can be taken into water
• Passenger lift access to first floor
Big Splash sessions
Disability charity Optua holds regular ‘Big Splash’ sessions at Crown Pools every Thursday from 2-3.30pm.
For people with physical disabilities, swimming offers many benefits such as freedom of movement, relaxation and the opportunity to exercise safely. The sessions are supported by volunteers who are on
hand to help. They are also open to more experienced disabled swimmers to give them the opportunity to have a quiet swim.
Swimming can also help people recovering from an accident or illness who are welcome to join Big Splash sessions.
Optua work in partnership with Ipswich Disability Sport Forum, Ipswich Swimming Forum, Crown Pools and local volunteer centres to run the sessions.
Catering & spectating facilities
• Full and varied vending service
• Additional seating in first-floor vending area
• Tables & chairs overlooking all three pools
• Free children's eating/play area with activity tables, drawing easels and TV's showing cartoons
Profiles
Profiles Fitness Suites operate at Crown Pools, Whitton SC and Gainsborough SC.
For full details go to the Profiles page.
Aqua Fitness
Aqua Fitness is an exercise to music program which enables all parts of the body to be worked in a painless and stress free way. It is suitable for any age group, swimmers, non-swimmers, arthritics, sufferers of muscular dystrophy, asthmatics and expectant mothers. It's also great fun for everyone! Our classes are taught by qualified instructors in the Competition pool. For full details and the timetable, please visit the Fitness Classes page.
Swimming Development
Crown Pools offers a wide range of swimming lessons for children from 6 months upwards, for full details of all our lessons please visit our Swimming Courses page.
We are also extremely pleased to say that we are the first local authority leisure facility in East Anglia to achieve a Premier Status Aquamark for our Swimming Development programme. For full details of the Aquamark scheme and the criteria for achieving Premier Status, can be found on the Aquamark pages of the ASA website.
Crèche
We have an Ofsted Accredited créche at 3 of our centres, staffed by trained Creche Leaders. Crèche places can be booked 7 days in advance with an I card and the price for crèche places are included in the monthly I-card packages.
If you do not have a monthly I-card package the price is £1.40 or 80p.
Please note: All children must be registered on their first visit to the Crèche. Children must be under 5. Maximum 2 hour stay for any child. Adult I-card monthly packages includes up to two children.
Creche opening times - term times
Monday 10.30 - 13.30
Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 15.00
Thursday 9.30 - 11.30
Friday 9.00 - 12.00
Please note Creche is not open on bank holidays
Children's Parties
We offer a number of party packages both at Crown Pools and Fore Street pools, for children from under 4, to 10 and over.
For full details please visit our Parties page.
Adult/Family Parties
We can arrange a variety of different styles of party, and each party can be individually tailored to suit. For further details ring (01473) 208123 or e-mail glenda.grimwood@ipswich.gov.uk
Sauna/steam rooms
The Vitality Health Suite comprises Sauna cabin, Steam Room, hot and cold showers and relaxation beds.
Mon-Fri 08.00-21.00
Sat 10.00-17.00
Sun 08.00-17.00
(Men only Mon 18.30-21.00 and Ladies only Thurs 18.30-21.00)
Please note: These times may vary due to special events.
You can pay per visit or it is included within an I-card monthly package.
People Dryer
Try out the innovative 'People Dryer' ...There's no need to be cold after your swim, why not try out this phenomenon (as seen on 'Anglia News'). Up to four people can use this warm air dryer for just £1.00, to help save on damp towels, and the other hassle involved in getting the family dry.
Swimming Galas
The eight lane, 25 metre competition pool is amongst the best of its kind in Europe. It is a prime location for both National and International Competitions, as well as local club events. It boasts:
- Seating capacity for up to 600 spectators
- Omega computerised timing system and scoreboard
- Full television and commentary provision
Special events
Crown Pools is available for private hire for any type of gala or special event. The versatile design makes it perfect for any promotional event, including:
- National and International Swimming Events (see below for more information)
- Fashion Shows
- Product Launches
- Television Commercials
- Photographic Sessions
- Television Shows
We are happy to advise on any aspect of the promotional possibilities, and the full range of facilities/services we can offer
Corporate Entertainment
If you're looking at somewhere different to hold a staff, social or Christmas function - then look no further than Crown Pools for the party with a difference. We offer themed events which we can customise to suit your particular needs or even create something exclusively for you.