As a lap swimmer and swim instructor, I know the importance of pool design that serves everyone — from kids learning to swim to teens training as lifeguards to adults seeking fitness. That’s why the proposed T-shaped redesign of Malvern Hills pool is so troubling.
Designers claim the plan “maintains” or even increases the “usable” area, but only by redefining the deep end as “not usable.” The public won’t buy it. Deep water is not wasted space — it’s essential. Teens need it to build lifesaving skills, and adults need it for instruction. Many basic exercises, from treading water to vertical kicking, require depth. Without a deep end, we lose opportunities for real swim education and safety training.
A rectangular pool with a full-size deep end would offer the most flexibility. It allows for structured lap swimming, teen and adult fitness, and skill development across all ages. With a 30-year lifespan, the additional cost for a proper design is minimal in the long view…