FI15540
Request
1) How many publicly accessible* swimming pools were there in your local authority area on September 30th 2024?
2) Please name the pools that are currently operating a timetable for public swimming, and provide postcodes for them.
3) For each of the pools in Q2, please also provide
a) the year they were built
b) the year they were last fully refurbished – meaning major renovation work, if applicable.
4) If a pool was or is temporarily closed please indicate this, or if a pool is earmarked for closure in the near future, please specify if the closure is intended to be temporary or permanent and if possible, provide reasons and dates.
If there is other information pertinent to my enquiry please send it or indicate where it is available.
*By publicly accessibly pools I mean either council owned/operated or those that are owned/operated by a not-for-profit leisure provider which is running the facilities for the community (eg better leisure/fusion etc) and to which you direct members of the public via your website/leisure services site.
Response
1. Two.
2. Dover District Leisure Centre (DDLC) CT16 3FZ and Tides Leisure Centre (TLC) CT14 9UU
3. (a) DDLC – 2019 and TLC – 1987
(b) DDLC - N/A and TLC - Cabinet has given approval (13 January 2025) for demolition of the pool and gym and replacement on the same site with a new six-lane pool, gym, fun inflatable sessions, and a toddler splash pad.
4. Both pools were temporarily closed during Covid as follows:
Lockdown 1 - 21 March 2020 to 17 August 2020
Lockdown 2 - 4 November 2020 to 2 December 2020
Lockdown 3 - 20 December 2020 to 12 April 2021
TLC – the building housing the swimming pool and gym will close on 1 April 2025 prior to demolition, with a proposed opening of the new centre in Summer 2027. The new leisure centre project addresses concerns regarding the continued deterioration of Tides Leisure Pool, the inadequacy of facilities such as the fitness suite and changing areas and the consequent impact on services such as the fitness gym & aerobic classes being conducted in poor standard non-purpose-built environments.