Brixton Rec - demolition proposed by council
- Thread starter indigolove
- Start date
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
A lady I was talking in Rec said she got some kind of discount for a while. She was referred by GP to lose weight. Do not know details.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
They could put the carpark on top - but I think they will go for housing on top - shops underneath as they've stated - much more lucrative! It's just a question of what shops underneath I suppose. I don't doubt it will be a big chainstore.
Spot on about group changing but I think the pool itself isn't too bad and no worse than the Rec. Obviously not as long as the previous one but new ones never are; 33.3m doesn't make sense for competing (shame for the rest of us tho!). I'm sure it's wider but have no proof obvs. I remember the old pool could handle 3 lanes and that was about it. This one can handle 3 lanes and still leave a decent chunk of the pool for those who just want to muck about. In my experience more people there are actually swimming as well as opposed to those at the Rec who just pop down after the gym for a bit of a dip and then end up chatting at the end of a lane for 10 minutes (grrrr!). My main complaint would be that it's reaaaally shallow.
As you'll know I could have just got lucky with my visits, other times of day it could be rubbish. Only time I feel quite happy swimming at the rec is on... actually I shalln't say as it'll ruin it then eh? ;-)
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
no the rec pool isn't perfect either. we swimmers are a fussy lot. im happiest at the lido with only me in it.. and the ducks.. but that's a bit much to ask! but it's about more than just the pool, which has a lot of plus points to it too.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
leanderman
Street Party: July 2
And you can swim in your pants in the Rec.
At least, the huge guy in lane 3 was at 4pm today.
On exiting the pool he just pulled on his trackie bottoms and left. No towel or anything!
At least, the huge guy in lane 3 was at 4pm today.
On exiting the pool he just pulled on his trackie bottoms and left. No towel or anything!
Elgar
1857–1934
He probably spent a few minutes outside being resourceful with the hair dryers.
boohoo
No.
There is a difference with the learner pool at Clapham and the one at the Rec. The one at Clapham goes straight in and the one at the Rec has steps leading into it which works much better if you have a baby or children with you. I think it is a bigger learner pool. Also the main pool at the Rec has the bit that the kids can splash around in and the lanes on the other side for more serious swimmers - I've not seen that design elsewhere.
I'd want to see the whole business plan before supporting or protesting any one position.
There have been years of comment about the expense of maintaining a pool 3 stories up, the expense of running and maintaining the Rec because of it's layout and design, and whether the space (not just the pool) is well used and matching demand. The gym was in the old cafeteria, for example, and there were loads of issues with that. (I ued to be a frequent Rec user, now go to the Lido as it fits my travel better).
Brixton needs more affordable housing, more social housing, more employment and therefore more businesses, more people able to give business to the businesses.
I wouldn't want to see the opportunities, facilities or community benefit of the Rec reduced or compromised, not one bit, but neither do I want to see the lines of faililng shops along the High Rd get worse or turn into more betting shops and payday loan outfits, or all the available new housing being in the hands of Barratt.
Maybe a newly developed Rec could support the overall needs of Brixton. But I'd be defending the Rec if it was to be swept away or diminished or made less accessible to the community as part of an overall scheme. I just don't know, yet.
But defendiing and emphasising it's imortance is a good thing.
There have been years of comment about the expense of maintaining a pool 3 stories up, the expense of running and maintaining the Rec because of it's layout and design, and whether the space (not just the pool) is well used and matching demand. The gym was in the old cafeteria, for example, and there were loads of issues with that. (I ued to be a frequent Rec user, now go to the Lido as it fits my travel better).
Brixton needs more affordable housing, more social housing, more employment and therefore more businesses, more people able to give business to the businesses.
I wouldn't want to see the opportunities, facilities or community benefit of the Rec reduced or compromised, not one bit, but neither do I want to see the lines of faililng shops along the High Rd get worse or turn into more betting shops and payday loan outfits, or all the available new housing being in the hands of Barratt.
Maybe a newly developed Rec could support the overall needs of Brixton. But I'd be defending the Rec if it was to be swept away or diminished or made less accessible to the community as part of an overall scheme. I just don't know, yet.
But defendiing and emphasising it's imortance is a good thing.
boohoo
No.
@opalfruit Idealist. 
I'd love the idea that a re-worked Rec or even demolished could all be re-worked into something with more social and affordable house, offering similar facilities and better employment... but I just don't see it happening otherwise people would be happy with the changes that have been happening elsewhere.
Has the high road got lots of failing shops? Isn't that a bigger issue than Brixton?
A good manager of the Rec would see the opportunity in the building and promote it. Make it the best leisure facility in London! Lots of space to put on lots of types of events!
I'd love the idea that a re-worked Rec or even demolished could all be re-worked into something with more social and affordable house, offering similar facilities and better employment... but I just don't see it happening otherwise people would be happy with the changes that have been happening elsewhere.Has the high road got lots of failing shops? Isn't that a bigger issue than Brixton?
A good manager of the Rec would see the opportunity in the building and promote it. Make it the best leisure facility in London! Lots of space to put on lots of types of events!
There is no way that any land from the rec would go to social housing. Lambeth is getting rid of as much of that as possible. Why would they suddenly turn the tide and give up the fortune they could make on that land? Never going to happen.
Business space will probably go to huge corporations. Do you really think they'll give that space to small businesses? And if they did they would charge an unaffordable rent. You just have to look at their record on such things everywhere else to know that nothing good will come of it.
Business space will probably go to huge corporations. Do you really think they'll give that space to small businesses? And if they did they would charge an unaffordable rent. You just have to look at their record on such things everywhere else to know that nothing good will come of it.
I agree business / retail space would be likely to go to huge corporations, but they are sources of employment.
It may be idealist to think that in a Cooperative Council the council would listen to a coherent community plan which could give the council a capital receipt (for that is what they surely want, and need) as well as providing quality community facilities and affordable housing, but IF they are resolved to tear down the Rec it might just work as well as an 'anti' campaign.
It may be idealist to think that in a Cooperative Council the council would listen to a coherent community plan which could give the council a capital receipt (for that is what they surely want, and need) as well as providing quality community facilities and affordable housing, but IF they are resolved to tear down the Rec it might just work as well as an 'anti' campaign.
In response to Gramsci (quote thing not working for me!)
Yeah I'm not saying it's underused. The opposite in fact. I'm ranting at those who get into lanes and start chatting at the end after their workout who get in the way of those who are properly swimming. I see less of this at Clapham. As someone else has mentioned the Rec has that lovely splash about area which is ideal for those who aren't doing lengths, I wish the post-workout lot would hang there. I personally find Clapham a bit better for doing lengths (probably because it's not as busy!) but the Rec has more character.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
The next all user/supporter meeting is on
TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 6PM in the Rec social room on level 5.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I know what you mean. Posing at end on lane.
Though I sometimes chat to people there at end of lane as well.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
by Rec User. Member of a local architectural practise, specialising primarily in the conservation, restoration and alteration of historic buildings.
The Rec was the result of an extended design development period that modern architects would only now dream of and like the Routmaster bus was made to satisfy many criteria, that go far beyond the reach and aspirations of most modern public sports and leisure design, with exception being the Olympic buildings.
The scale of the Rec is impressive and the range of sporting provision is exceptional, from lawn bowls to climbing. The sports hall is of a size that even today is rare, because of its generous height can accommodate many competitive indoor sports at a high level. The pool hall is exceptional and its architectural quality is unmatched anywhere else in London. The space, natural light, timber lining and arrangement of family friendly pools are a delight and a credit to the vision of the local political leaders and architects.
One of the most unique qualities of the Rec is the relationship and visibility of all the activities available; this makes it truly accessible and friendly. It satisfies the inclusive agenda that was high up on the Architects Brief. The desire to have as much natural light within the building right down to the basement has produced a welcoming environment and has avoided completely the claustrophobic nature of most new sports and leisure provision in the city. These have an arrangement of tightly packed boxes, so as make the buildings as small as possible and as cheap as possible to build. Such ambitious aspirations for the Rec made the building expensive to design and build. This investment is today enjoyed and taken for granted by all the Rec users, however it is thrown in to sharp contrast, when the cheap build and mean spaces of the new Clapham pool and Peckham Pulse are experienced.
Considering the building is almost forty years old, it is in very good condition, the massive stainless steel stair rails almost look new and the brick cladding and copper roofs have weathered beautifully. The investment in top quality expensive finishes have lasted well and continue to perform as designed. This demonstrates again the vision and commitment of the original team, to create a lasting legacy for Brixton. The dividends of generous design and materials, are flexibility of use and reduced repair and maintenance costs.
The Rec is not only an unrepeatable asset in brick and concrete but, in the unique spaces and combination of provision, it has enabled life, leisure and sport accessibility to a historically deprived and troubled community. The Rec has become a beacon of enlighten provision and symbolic of investment and regeneration of deprived city areas.
During the life of the building it has been able to be improved and modified to meet changing needs. The original Restaurant /club area has become a very successful fitness provision and the recent refurbishment of the changing areas has improved family access and privacy issues for minority users not envisaged in the original brief. The generous space provision in the original design has made many of the changes possible that would have been impossible if the original design had not been of grand ambition and vision.
The High Quality Design and grand scale of the Rec, has allowed accessibility to a range of sport and leisure on a scale and richness unusual for an area such as Brixton. It’s Unique and exceptional design qualities should not be devalued by concerns over ageing plant and services, all buildings need services replacing as they wear out. Buildings should not be treated like consumer durables and sent to land fill if the on switch breaks. The embodied energy in the Rec is high, and I do not believe that replacement studies will have fully appreciated the vast scale of the building that fits on a modest size plot. The Rec has a pool on the second floor and the sport hall on the 6th floor, not out of Architectural whim but to fit all the facilities in.
The Rec is an asset that has a value way beyond its replacement cost, due not only to the social and political capital it owns but, also the investment in good, generous, brave and visionary Architecture.
This Architecture not only inspires and uplifts but, is accommodating change and new visions.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
From BRUG facebook page with report update on there as well.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
that post is great Gramsci...
Manter
Lunch Mob
Can you do me a favour? Can you say in the session that there are people who would love to come as they like and value the Rec, but can't be back home at 6? No way I can get back from St Paul's in time to join a meeting at 6.....
Brixton Hatter
Home is south London mate
quimcunx
imprimeo, lamino, distribuo
That is a great post and what shines out from it like a beacon, for me, is that the Rec was a huge financial investment, with huge ambition, unprecedented. Any plan which involved replacing it wholesale wouldn't have a hope in hell of having equivalent investment and withoutthat it's just not possible for the community to be better served by a new one. The money and ambition just wouldn't be there.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I would like to make it clear I did not write it. Its from BRUG facebook page ( link on post) which Ive cut and pasted. As people might not have seen it. Yes it is a very good piece by an architect who uses the Rec.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
... it's a very interesting piece he's written. It was interesting to me because he pretty much embodies how I feel about the Rec just from a lay person's point of view. So, it's nice to have that vindicated by someone with a professional opinion.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I totally in sympathy with your post. Ive already said the times are not good for me. I am going next meeting but cannot do this all the time. Weekdays in general are bad for me. I am better at weekend meetings. For some of us , like u say, its not easy to do meetings in evenings. It can make one feel cut out of loop a bit. As I cannot do endless meetings. Why cant organisations like Council and GLL use internet more?
Also said that is why the internet can be very useful.
If I was you I would put a comment on the BRUG Facebook page saying the above.
BRUG know about this thread. My view is that all info from the various social networks should be used to enable maximum involvement.
Though it is difficult to do without things getting chaotic.
