As reported in our previous blog, Lease documents support repair of pool, documents received from Newark & Sherwood District Council (NSDC) indicate that a repair of Southwell Swimming Pool is both technically and financially viable.
In addition the terms of the lease show that NSDC have a clear legal obligation to carry out a full repair to previously maintained standards.
Despite this NSDC insist that a new build is the only option on the table. Whilst Friends of Southwell Swimming Pool (FOSS) will continue to press for a full repair to be carried out as soon as possible, we remain supportive of a new build as long as overall plans provide a solution that at least meets and hopefully improves on the facilities that the community has enjoyed for many years.
NSDC are insistent that any new build will only be considered if land owned by Southwell Town Council (STC) and Southwell Leisure Centre Trust (SLCT) are transferred free of charge to ownership of the council. This is land of considerable commercial value and an important asset for the community.
FOSS are strongly advocating against this land transfer, but it is understood that SLCT are prepared to agree to the council’s demands in the very near future.
Where will the new pool be built? The map and image below show the land owned by SLCT that NSDC insist is given to them before the new pool is built (a 25m pool has been promised) .
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nBH1yPFn3EYeAa4a7 Google maps Southwell Leisure Centre
So far no plans have been put forward for the new build but for a pool of similar dimensions to the existing 25m pool, the land requirements will mean use of the majority of the car parking as well as the 5-a-side all weather football pitch.
Both of these facilities are extremely well used and would be a huge loss to the community.
The 5-a-side pitch is constantly in use, the footballers in the town will be disappointed to lose this facility even for just a temporary period. Who knows when (and where) a replacement pitch would be provided, if ever?
The car park is vital for the customers of the leisure centre, where the classes, which are frequently fully booked, can have up to 60 spaces (Active drum fun), 40 spaces (Active Zumba, Active Classic Pilates), 38 spaces (Active Hatha Yoga) and this is whilst other activities are going on at the leisure centre at the same time. Do the Trustees and NSDC know how well used Southwell Leisure Centre is?
The car park is full to capacity on school days during drop off and pick up time and any reduction in size is likely to impact on traffic on the main road.
It is also full on busy rugby days when every junior team has a match.
Has anyone asked the Minster School or Southwell Rugby Club what they would think about a reduction in car park spaces, to say nothing of the Leisure Centre users who need them, including U3A (who have over 750 members) for their monthly meeting?
At this stage there are no guarantees that even if the land is transferred, that the new pool will ever be built. The land will be of considerable appeal to many developers and it is a strong possibility that NSDC will take advantage of the clear commercial opportunities.
FOSS urge STC and SLCT to resist the demands of NSDC and support the option of a repair to the pool – an option that will offer huge financial savings and restore swimming in Southwell in the very near future.