Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor
As a passionate resident of Redcar I feel the following suggestion may go down like a lead balloon amongst my fellow sand-scratchers (Sand-scratchers being the local nickname for Redcar people, as with Brotton - Woolly-backs: Guisborough Monks: Staithes and Whitby Cod-heads etc.)
Background
The Coatham enclosure being currently the designated site for a new Swimming pool for Redcar; this was to be underwritten partly by the selling of land at the Coatham enclosure and that of the Golf club for housing.
As we all know, this has split the town between those wanting to retain the Coatham coach car park and Golf course as an open landscape, and those people that so desperately want a Swimming pool at any costs.
The current financial climate, naturally, is preventing the sale of the land for building. As a result, the whole area is blighted and requires new foresight to support the needs and aspirations of the Redcar and Marske people.
Proposal
For the Redcar and Cleveland Council to scrap totally the idea of building housing upon Coatham enclosure and, indeed, that of a new swimming baths, being that even if the funds could be found to build it the running costs would not be underwritten within the current rates. (Swimming Baths are a public utility and require ratepayer support; such ratepayer-sponsored buildings for the community are a ‘not for profit’ underwritten capitol provision) Run efficiently as a business by Tees Valley Leisure
Making the required swimming provision for Redcar and Marske
By using the funds that are available to build a second sports pool alongside that at Saltburn, being that the staff and running costs are already in place.
Thereafter, the current pool at Saltburn is to be used as a school and children’s centre for excellence. The new larger pool becomes the community swimming baths for Redcar, Marske and Saltburn.
Access to the Swimming baths: In creating several new cycle tracks, footpaths and Bridle ways from Redcar via Marske to Saltburn. Access to be underwritten by a community bus service, and a children’s walk way from the Railway station in Saltburn to the swimming baths. New pelican crossings to be created across all roads, on the new routes to the swimming baths; the cycle time from Redcar to Saltburn is 21 minutes.
Use for the Land at the Coatham enclosure.
The current car and coach park to be resurfaced and, once the Mungle-jungle amusement arcade is removed, this area of reclaimed land along with the building of a new chandlery shop, boathouse with bar and hostelry be made into the Coatham Boat Park. The Land occupied by the Sports centre/Coatham Bowl and the old Golf club house to be sold for the building of a new hotel for Redcar alongside the old golf course land being landscaped with trees, car parking for the hotel and picnic areas and vistas within landscaped sand dunes. The Hotel would also have built into it, as part of the deal, a function/concert suite with a separate entrance.
An advanced Sports Gym to be built in Redcar attached to one of the schools/colleges for dual public use to replace the Coatham Bowl Gym.
Finally
Redcar be joined to the Parish Council of Saltburn and Marske.
Food for though, and hopefully to engender debate.

Yours faithfully

Philip Chisholm T: 01642 510223 M: 07802 936 414
thechisholm@mac.com
12 Stirling Road Redcar TS10 2JU