Sandwell Aquatic Centre 50m Competition Pool

Last year I added the old Smethwick Baths to the list (pool #121) just a few days before it closed. Proper old-school pool with a bit of character. It’s now been replaced by the new 50m Sandwell Aquatics Centre, built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

It’s early Monday morning and I’d planned a pre-work swim stop here on the way down to Bristol. I was meant to come with the swim lads just before Christmas, but they switche to a holiday timetable and we didn't fancy the aqua splash session!

I completely missed the Commonwealth Games held in my home city in the Summer of 2022 as I was away on holiday, but after the event, the pool closed for a year to be converted into a public leisure centre. They’ve taken out the temporary seating and added all the usual facilities—gym, café, proper changing areas etc. The result is a fantastic proper 50m olympic pool and diving centre - I only wish it was built just 20 miles North East to replace my tumbledown local pool!

Parked up, paid and changed in the huge communal chaning village which flows out to the pool deck. I wasn’t expecting the session to be quite so busy, but once I got moving it was fine. Managed to get 3.2km in, steady pace, with a bit of motivation from the club swimmers in the next lane.

Quick shower, back in the Taycan, and headed south to Clevedon.