The future of Eastney Swimming Pool to be discussed with public following Pyramids backlash
THE FUTURE of a 'poor condition' century-old swimming pool in Portsmouth will be discussed with the public, following backlash over a 'sudden' decision to close a popular splash pool.
Portsmouth City Council will 'talk to people' about plans for Eastney Swimming Pool as they emerge, with concerns that repair works to the existing building will cost around £850,000.
During a virtual council meeting today (Oct 16) culture and leisure boss, Councillor Steve Pitt, defended the controversial move to replace the pools at the Pyramids Centre in Southsea with a new soft play facility as it was the 'only option.'
However, he said plans for the Eastney pool would be considered openly.
Speaking at the meeting Cllr Pitt said: 'The facility is over 100 years old. It is not disability compliant, it has communal changing facilities, the roof is in a dire state and there are structural issues.
'The existing pool needs to be either completely refurbished, rebuilt or replaced and this administration is totally committed to ensuring that whichever of these options emerge as viable options, we talk to people and explain what is possible.
'We can do that because there is a choice, there are possibilities. On the Pyramids there weren’t.
'I have asked officers to explore all options available to the council and report back to the next meeting of this Portfolio with an update on both Eastney and Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.'
Cllr Pitt said the centre was losing the council around £700,000 a year and it would need £14.8m over the next 10 years to keep running.
At the meeting Tory spokesman for leisure, Cllr Frank Jonas, said: 'If we close this pool (the Pyramids) it's closed forever. We lose a wet facility. I would hope the cabinet member would explore every avenue there is to see if it could be financially viable to restore it.'
Progressive Portsmouth People representative, Cllr Claire Udy, added: 'We need to focus on Eastney now. I want a promise from you that we will have some form of swimming facility in that area of the city.
'I also want to reassure residents there will be some disabled provision as the Pyramids was the only walk-in pool.'
Eastney Swimming Pool is a small stand-alone pool that was built in 1904, and is also operated by BH Live who run the Pyramids and the Mountbatten Centre in the city.