Lobby to save our pool

A meeting last Friday between Rother District Council (RDC), Freedom Leisure (FL) and representatives of Rye Town Council (RTC), failed to find a solution to the imminent closure of Rye swimming pool and subsequently, the pool closed its doors to the public after the last session on Monday, October 31.

In a joint statement from all parties, issued Wednesday, November 2, it was suggested that the pool may open again in the spring, but only with financial aid from central government.

The statement added: “Earlier this month, pool operator, Freedom Leisure, announced that it would have to close the pool over the winter period due to spiralling energy costs.

“However, following a meeting on Friday October 28 between Rye Town Council, Rother District Council and Freedom Leisure, it was agreed that all parties needed to continue to lobby central government for support, and to work together with the aim of reopening the pool in the new year.”

Rye Town Mayor, Andi Rivett, was quoted in the statement as saying: “The closure of our pool is a devastating blow for those dependent on it to maintain or manage their physical health and well-being – and let’s not forget that having a safe environment in which to learn to swim can mean the difference between life or death. The Town Council is committed to working with all stakeholders to re-open our treasured pool at the earliest opportunity. It is too important to lose and we must not let down all those who worked so hard to provide us with a fully-accessible, public pool.”

Ivan Horsfall-Turner, nicknamed by some now as “Ivan the Terrible”, chief executive of FL, still managed to express doubt about the pool ever opening again: “Without central government support and public sector leisure being included as a vulnerable business in the January review, an earlier reopening is unlikely.”

In a separate statement, RTC called on all supporters to lobby central government for urgent and immediate financial support for public leisure centres. In the statement RTC said: “All stakeholders – whether they are pool users, pool manager or pool owner –  are keen to see it reopen at the earliest opportunity. It will take some time to work up a plan to ensure a long-term, sustainable future for the pool and so significant short-term funding needs to be found.

“Other public pools have closed – or are on the verge of closing – and it is likely that more will follow unless the Government can be persuaded to provide additional funding towards pool providers’ energy costs.”

What has so far, not been disclosed, is how much it costs to operate the swimming pool on a month-by-month basis, a figure which is vitally important for fundraisers to know. Rye News is aware that many people have already donated, or have expressed a desire to donate, to the cause. So far, these figures have not been released.

At the time of going to press, Rye News has learnt that FL has posted a notice of reduced opening hours for the leisure centre. A source close to members of staff said no discussion had taken place with employees and it is feared FL is planning a phased closure of the entire building.

You can help by emailing – or writing to – those below, explaining what the closure of the Rye pool means to you – and asking the government to provide 12 months of extra energy costs support for public leisure centres.

Sally-Ann Hart MP (Hastings & Rye constituency)
Swallow House, Theaklen Drive, St Leonards-on-Sea TN38 9AZ
sallyann.hart.mp@parliament.uk

Huw Merriman MP (Bexhill & Battle constituency – includes some parishes in the Rye pool catchment area)
29-31 Sea Road, Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1EE
huw.merriman.mp@parliament.uk

The Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP (Sec of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk

Image Credits: Kt bruce , Susan Benn .