Abbey Fields Swimming Pools Public Meeting and Site Open Event
Around 200 local residents gathered at St Nicholas Church in Kenilworth on Wednesday 27 September for an update from Warwick District Council on the Abbey Fields swimming pools redevelopment project following the discovery of extensive unrecorded medieval remains on the site.
At the meeting which was simultaneously live streamed there was a presentation from Archaeology Warwickshire on the vast medieval complex of buildings associated with Kenilworth Abbey that has been unearthed. This was followed by a briefing from the Council’s Programme Manager on the implications that these findings will have on the design, planning, cost and timeline of the swimming pools programme and an overview from the Council Leader on the decision that will need to be taken by elected members as to whether to take the existing project forward.
The floor was then opened to questions from the audience which included Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Wright MP, Town and District Councillors and representatives from schools and sports groups.
Councillor Ian Davison, Leader of Warwick District Council commented:
“I want to thank everyone who made the effort to come along to this important public event and for giving us the opportunity to explain the challenges we are currently facing and the key decision that our Council will need to make in the coming months on the future of the scheme.”
It was also announced that members of the public will have the chance to see the archaeological remains found on the Abbey Fields site from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday 3 October.
Tim Malim from Hampton Heritage Design and Consultancy Ltd the project’s archaeological consultant commented:
“We appreciate that this is a short window for people to see these amazing discoveries, but it is vitally important that the ancient structures that have been exposed are now re-covered to ensure that they are preserved in the best possible condition.”
More information on the Abbey Fields swimming pools project including 3D model images of the archaeological finds by RiVR.uk can be found on the Warwick District Council website. There is also an online form available to submit any further questions to the programme team.
Those wishing to visit Abbey Fields on Tuesday 3 October are requested to follow the signage in place and use the entrance located near to the temporary toilets next to the site.
