‘Repairs and restoration’ will restore community swimming pool

Wave Active and Lewes District Council has welcomed progress to re-open Ringmer Swimming Pool and funding for other leisure services in the district.

Threatened with permanent closure in 2022, Lewes District Council stepped in with a rescue plan and has been working with East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and Wave Active to bring the facility back into use.

Like any older swimming pool, the years of pumping and filtering millions of litres of water and chemicals have taken its toll on the original plant machinery and needs replacing.  Funding from LDC and ESCC is making the replacement of this essential equipment possible. 

Council officers are finalising lease arrangements with ESCC and will then order the specialised plant machinery to replace old and redundant equipment, prior to an autumn re-opening.

Fred Furner from Wave Active and Cllr Johnny Denis at Ringmer Swimming Pool

Councillor Johnny Denis, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Leisure, said:

 “I was delighted that we were able to find a way to keep Ringmer Swimming Pool open, most notably for the many families in the local community who enjoy visiting the pool.

“Due to the complex nature of the systems and machinery involved, the repairs and restoration is a highly specialised job.

 “Our officers will be working to secure all the new plant required and liaising with specialist contractors to have it installed and commissioned.”

The £100k being invested in Ringmer Swimming Pool by Lewes District Council is just one strand of a £3 million council investment programme in local leisure services. 

A new roof and solar PV are planned at Seahaven Swim and Fitness as part of a £1.6 million refurbishment and a £976k grant to Wave Active will see green technology installations, lighting upgrades, enhanced flooring and improved pool circulation pumps.

Duncan Kerr, CEO of Wave Active, said:

“I know how hard Councillor Denis and his colleagues at Lewes District Council are working to bring Ringmer Swimming Pool back into use. 

“My team and I are looking forward to meeting residents in Ringmer, hearing what they think and above all, welcoming them back to this much-loved pool.

“Like any community leisure venue, we need as many people as possible to use and support the facilities. In return we will do all we can to make every visit to Ringmer Swimming Pool an enjoyable one.

“Residents can look forward to exciting times for sports and leisure services in Lewes district.”