大象传媒

Fourteen-year-old Chris Inch is one of five in Redbridge's 'A' Squad. Training eight times a week at Ilford and Fulwell Cross Swimming baths, this teenager really is living the Olympic dream.

County Champion last year, Chris is ranked top 10 in the country. Paul Robbins, his coach, says talents like him need to be nurtured in the right environment.

He says: "There is a lack of 50 metre pools in this country. It's completely different swimming in a short course pool that's 25 metres and a 50 metre pool.

"We're hampering the development and opportunities of (our) young people."

Currently, they train in a 70-year-old pool that is small and decrepit. The roofs at Ilford swimming baths are leaking and the paint is peeling from its walls.

The Audit Commission in 2000 recognised the poor standard of leisure facilities borough-wide and also highlighted that places like the Ilford pool were highly unsuitable for the disabled.

As a result plans for a new 35 million pound facility have been unveiled. Other than the 50 metre super pool, there will be a number of other sporting facilities including 12 court sports hall, health and fitness suite and multi-purpose studios for sports like badminton and squash.

The new development would sit next door to where the current Ilford pool stands on the Cricklefields Recreation Ground. It would also replace the popular Frenford Club.

State of the art Leisure Complex

The Olympics

As Redbridge is not an official Olympic borough it is under no obligation to create provisions for the games.

However, the proposed facility is looking to provide training facilities for Olympians and Paralympians in 2012 for a range of sports and not just swimming.

Some residents think the Olympics are the main driving force behind the costly project and resent the cuts that are being made in other sectors.

Your views are welcome email ramaa.sharma@bbc.co.uk