Tenterden Leisure Centre swimming pool closure

Ashford Borough Council is extremely disappointed and concerned that Tenterden Leisure Centre, and in particular the pool, is not open for users to enjoy. 

The Borough Council, as landlord, committed to capital works for the building to improve the structure and ensure sustainability for the leisure facilities in the future and this included a new roof, a new air handling unit, a new pool filtration system and switchgear.

Further works are committed over the coming months as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) which include an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) and Photovoltaic (PV) panels. 

On procuring the complex works, consisting of nine roofs, a decision was taken by all parties (ABC, TLT, Serco and the contractors) to keep the centre open during the works. It is unfortunate that during implementation of the works all parties had to contend with the impact of COVID-19, nesting birds and unpredicted extreme weather. 

However the temporary closure was used wisely and allowed for the much needed pool filtration works to be completed at the same time and avoided a further closure of the pool in the near future. 

We are pleased to say that the roofing works are nearing completion and the works outstanding are such that can be done while all areas of the centre are open. The Council deemed the full centre able to open from 1 December 2022.  

During the unsettling period of COVID-19 and the capital works, Ashford Borough Council agreed a financial support package, with Tenterden Leisure Trust and Serco, to assist with the difficult times. The support was offered in the view that this would reduce allowing Tenterden Leisure Centre to become a fully operational and viable business by Serco in line with their contract.

With the support now exceeding £1m of taxpayers money, with no visible reduction in the monthly requests and the centre remaining closed for swimming, Council officers and members have given Tenterden Leisure Trust and Serco three months’ notice to cease the funding.

Cllr Matthew Forest, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Property and Recreation for Ashford Borough Council, said: “We know how vital swimming and leisure facilities are at Tenterden Leisure Centre for our residents’ health and wellbeing.

“ABC has worked hard behind the scenes to complete major works to Tenterden Leisure Centre, including improvements to the roof, pool filtration system and redecoration of the poolside flume area after an investment of £1.5m from ABC and a further £330,000 from the Government decarbonisation project.

“We are also committed to delivering further Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) works at Tenterden Leisure Centre to ensure a carbon reduction and efficiencies for any future operations at the site. This work is about to commence (including Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Panels) and is funded by an investment of £465,000 from ABC and £2m from the Government decarbonisation project.

“Our position is clear – Ashford Borough Council want to see the swimming pool at Tenterden Leisure Centre re-open as soon as possible, and we continue to have dialogue with the Trust and the operator to make this happen.”