Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) has unveiled its plans for a new aquatics centre and its masterplan for the Portman Road area.

The scheme, which was initially announced in July 2022 and has been drawn up in collaboration with Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Town, would see a new aquatics centre - featuring pools, water flumes, a gym and fitness studios, as well as a soft play area and cafe - a hotel and park areas built on the car park behind the Cobbold Stand.

In addition, a multi-storey car park would also be constructed in order to replace the spaces lost due to the new development.

It’s also proposed that Portman Road is rerouted into a curve to facilitate the club’s redevelopment of the Cobbold Stand, which is currently being worked on but is a longer-term rather than immediate priority.

IBC’s Executive will consider the masterplan next week, while the proposals will soon be submitted for planning approval.

“This project is set to become a community jewel, a beacon of how sports, leisure, and communal well-being are valued in Ipswich,” Councillor Neil MacDonald, leader of IBC, said.

“Together, we are not just building facilities; we are building hope, opportunity, and a legacy of communal well-being. As we move forward, the focus shifts to attracting forward-thinking investors who share our vision for a healthier, more vibrant Ipswich.

“This is a journey towards not only revitalising our town but also championing the spirit of our community.

“The council is dedicated to making this vision a reality, ensuring that the benefits of this ambitious project will be enjoyed by both current and future generations of Ipswich residents.”

Town CEO Mark Ashton added: “A significant amount of work has been undertaken at the Portman Road grounds over the last three years, with visible improvements to our home during that time, and we are proud to have an average attendance of nearly 29,000 this season.

“The redevelopment of the Cobbold Stand and an increase in capacity has been part of our long-term masterplan for the stadium and, while it must be stressed no work is imminent, we are pleased to have been able to work with Ipswich Borough Council to identify the required land to make this possible.”

Planning consultants Ingleton Wood give an overview of the project and an interactive public consultation platform on their website.

Photo: DB3 Group

eddiespearitt03 added 21:11 - Mar 12 Would like to see a big project like this in the heart of a neglected town centre. Build the hotel, aquatic pool, fitness centre, gardens and car park on the two Tacket Street car parks and incorporate that into the old Woolworths building. Then allow ITFC to build a bigger stand and other add on,s.
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Westy added 21:13 - Mar 12 Bazza8564 - i agree. I have mentioned on this website previosuly that the Club maybe missing a trick here. The West Stand is only ten years more recent than the Cobbold Stand and showing its age - plenty of room at the rear to expand and remove restricted views, maybe some lift shafts at the back too. It could be done over a number of seasons to spread the cost. As for the Cobbold Stand propsoal - looks good but one of the issues that has been raised previously is that the stadium has its back to the town, but given the other structures due to be built will be more like invisible.

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SoCalTownFan added 22:45 - Mar 12 A 25m pool would be a missed opportunity. Where I live in California there are more 50m pools within 10 miles of my house than in the whole of the UK. Our best swimmers have limited options for training.
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EatonBlue added 22:54 - Mar 12 Thought that we were getting a Sea Life Centre when I saw the headline.
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whymark4lazio0 added 23:16 - Mar 12 Is there going to be a football stadium as well?
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bobble added 02:39 - Mar 13 great idea for when global warming increases sea levels, and we have to play under water with a weighted football..these yanks are so visionary..
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Edmundo added 08:25 - Mar 13 50m pool and diving area would attract Olympic hopefuls and make Ipswich even more of a sports hub. Expect lottery funding and central government help if so. As for the stadium: look out!!
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bobble added 09:42 - Mar 13 25m pool is just small minded thinking by non visionary tory people unless of course we have a new olympic/world championship pool length competition size that fits with cheapskate small minded tory public funding ,to better match britains new self esteem...gotta love brexit, shrinking everything from economies to average heights to swimming pool sizes.....
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Marcus added 13:01 - Mar 13 The statues are missing in the video. This is due to complications with the rendering of a concept, this is significantly short of a final design and is used to market and promote the project. As far as a 50m pool, there is a long-shelved renovation project for the Broomhill Lido, while it's a seasonal option it could be used as an Olympic-sized pool. It's a double-edged sword when criticising the council for lack of development and then complaining if council tax goes up.

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blues1 added 15:42 - Mar 13 Help. What are you talking about,removing the top tier of the west stand? Not touching the west stand at all. Love to know where you've got that from
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Bert added 16:46 - Mar 13 Just to remind everyone that these are all indicative concept designs prior to an application for outline planning permission. The detail comes later. The master plan is a good way of testing public opinion before the real expense comes. I may be wrong but I doubt that much work has been done on the Cobbold Stand yet. That said I like the indicative curve which creates a realignment of Portman Road.

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BurleysGloryDays added 19:25 - Mar 13 Just wonderful. Get that aquatics centre covered in Town imagery and icons, and get Running Towards Adversity on the walls. Get this team’s culture and our owners’ culture onto the streets and it’ll last forever.
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