Just months after reopening following a £500,000 refurbishment and the senior Bedford Borough Councillor saying it would serve the needs of the local community “for many years to come”, Oasis Pool has been recommended for permanent closure.
At next week’s executive meeting (20 November), councillors will decide on ‘the emerging Bedford Borough Sports and Leisure Strategy 2024-2034’, which includes the pool’s closure.
Among several recommendations is advice to close Oasis Leisure Pool which a review states is no longer ‘financially viable’.
The review says the site needs over £900k a year (including energy costs) from Bedford Borough Council and there are ‘no viable options to maintain the existing facility as is or with modifications to the existing building.’
A recent Building Condition Survey has also predicted that the Council would need to incur more than £7 million to repair the structure and integrity of the building in its current state.
Councillors are now being advised to close the pool and instead seek proposals from external/commercial leisure operators to keep the site open through a commercial agreement as the site is ‘an important location for leisure in that area of Bedford’.
There doesn’t appear to be any details as to how this would work or how much lump sum or ongoing revenue this may earn the council.
Tax payers money “wasted”
Liberal Democrat councillors have reacted with dismay at the news.
Leader of the Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats, Cllr Henry Vann (De Parys), said: “It is scandalous that the Mayor and the Conservatives running the Council have wasted £338,000 renovating the Oasis and then turn round to announce that they are going to close it.
“This is taxpayers’ money that shouldn’t be wasted like this. They always say they are short of money, but then make outrageous decisions like this that residents will rightly be furious about.”
In May this year, the pool reopened to significant fanfare after £500,000 was set aside for refurbishment following years of neglect and criticism of the state of the pool, it’s understood that £338,000 of that budget has been spent already.
Read: Oasis Beach Pool announces half-term launch party following £500,000 investment
Speaking at the time, Cllr Sarah Gallagher (Conservative), portfolio holder for customer experience, said: “The Oasis Beach Pool re-opening marks a wholesale improvement in Bedford Borough’s leisure service.
“…it is truly going to serve the needs of the local community for many years to come, providing more happy memories and family fun.”
The site was one of nine sites taken over by Better, who inherited the operation of leisure services in the borough after the contract with Fusion was cancelled.
Read: Fusion out as council awards new leisure management contract
Further recommendations
Amongst other items due to be discussed at next Wednesday’s executive meeting as part of the are:
- Robinson Pool & Fitness – Refurbishment within the existing footprint, improved health and fitness offer and reconfiguration of pool
- Kempston Pool & Fitness – Extension to accommodate increased gym offer and refurbishment
- Bunyan Sports & Fitness – Within the existing footprint, expanded soft play, and reconfiguration to allow improved health and fitness offer.
- Bedford International Athletics Stadium – Refurbishment of facilities, additional gym offer and artificial turf pitch
- Mowsbury Golf and Squash Complex – The addition of Padel courts.
- Kempston Outdoor Centre- maintain activity at the site through a review of lease arrangements
- White & Blue Perris – The review of options to surrender the current lease.
- Newnham Island – Provision of free-to-use casual outdoor play and leisure facilities to help with the need for access to sport and leisure in the area
The closure of Oasis Pool has been badged as a money-saving ‘quick win’ despite ‘some disruption’. However, Cllr Dean Crofts (Liberal Democrats) ward councillor for Kingsbrook where the pool is located said, “It will be a real setback for local people”.
Adding, “The Oasis [pool] is the most convenient pool for many residents in Kingsbrook Ward. It will be a real setback for local people if this pool is shut. I can’t support its closure and loss of services for local people.”
Robinson Pool
The same report calling for Oasis to close has also suggested significant investment in Robinson Pool with £13.8m worth of refurbishments and improvements to the site.
The report sent to councillors has said that ‘Robinson [pool] is the main community pool location for the Borough with many more members than Oasis, with a significant number of users residing in the wards which neighbour Oasis.
‘This has been taken into consideration with the option proposed for Robinson’
The proposals include:
- Refurbishment of the current entrance and surrounding area, including reception, catering and seating provision
- Remodelled and refurbished village change area
- Transformation of the current gym into two individual group exercise studios
- Conversion of the current diving pool into a large splash pad
- Conversion of the current 33m pool tank into a six-lane 25m pool, alongside a learner pool
- Conversion of current learner pool into soft play
- Introduction of a state of the art 108 station gym Conversion of current studio space into a unique boutique studio
- Introduction of a dedicated spin studio Retention of the pool hall spectator areas, with light refurbishment
A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council said: “This is a report for consideration and no final decision has been made regarding the future of Oasis Beach Pool.
“We will continue to engage with the community and stakeholders to gather feedback.”
Update: This article was updated on 14 November 2024 at 2:43pm to add a comment from Bedford Borough Council.
