Outcry from Kenilworth campaign group over plans to keep leisure centres in town closed after Covid lockdown restrictions are lifted

Warwick District Council's (WDC) executive members are recommended to approve that both the leisure facilities at Castle Farm and Abbey Fields will remain closed after the current pandemic restrictions are lifted and will not effectively reopen until late 2022 at the earliest when the new facilities have been completed.

This is despite the fact that demolition of the existing facilities is not scheduled to commence until September this year.

The Kenilworth Lido Campaign Group has said that, in addition to all the health benefits both indoor and outdoor swimming provides, given this year is the 125th anniversary of outdoor swimming in Abbey Fields it would seem quite insensitive of the council to not let the pool complex to open for one final season.

Group secretary Joanne Hall has written personally to all district councillors urging them not agree to the early closure.

Her letter says: "I am contacting you with reference to the recommendation which will go before the executive at the meeting on February 11 relating to the Warwick District Leisure Programme – Kenilworth Facilities: Item 11 on the agenda.

"I am particularly concerned with recommendation 2.8.

"That, subject to agreeing recommendations 2.2 to 2.7 inclusive, executive agrees that the Abbey Fields Swimming Pool and the Castle Farm Recreation Centre will not be re-opened after the current Covid pandemic closure, unless the works to either building described elsewhere in this report are not progressed or they are significantly delayed.

"We are all too well aware of how serious the impact of Covid has been on the population, impacting every aspect of our lives.

"It seems as though we may have turned a corner and it is possible that in the next six weeks or so, some of the restrictions that we have been living under may be relaxed.

"Given the experience of last year, it is likely that one of the initial freedoms we will have, will be to meet and exercise in outdoor spaces.

"Outdoor swimming pools are an ideal space for this and were open when other indoor sporting venues were closed.

"So, I was very concerned to read recommendation 2.8 requesting authorisation to keep Abbey Fields Swimming Pool closed after the current Covid pandemic, particularly the outdoor pool.

"The outdoor pool would not normally open until the beginning of May and WDC/Everyone Active (EA) would probably not normally be starting to prepare the pool for another month.

"Also, EA has received WDC grants of over £1 million to keep our sports centres ready for use.

"Making the best use of the facilities we have must be more cost-effective than letting them stand idle?

"There is no reason for the procurement exercise not to progress in anticipation of Planning Permission being granted and funding being agreed, so it seems a gratuitous action to deprive children and families of outdoor water play and swimming for one last time.

"The recommendation argues that it would not be cost effective to open the facility, but experience at other outdoor pools last summer when they were allowed to open, points to the contrary.

"In Abbey Fields outdoor pool Warwick District has the ideal venue to help people resume some semblance of normality, to help them pick up the pieces after the last 12 months and to help them recover some level of good mental health.

"Subject to government restrictions, there seems to be no reasonable argument for keeping the outdoor pool closed during the summer of 2021 particularly since demolition is not scheduled until September 2021.

"I would implore you not to cause further misery to the citizens of the district this summer, by agreeing to recommendation 2.8."

In response to concerns about the two leisure centers remaining closed for the aforementioned period of time, A WDC spokeswoman said: "Warwick District Council, in consultation with Everyone Active, recommends that Abbey Fields Swimming Pool and Castle Farm Recreation Centre will remain closed after the current lockdown restrictions are lifted, which is not expected before Easter.

"This recommendation is based on the cost to the taxpayer of reopening, for a very limited period, before demolition of the buildings scheduled to begin as early as September this year.

"Everyone Active will be doing all they can to accommodate as many of their customers as possible at the leisure centres in St Nicholas Park, Warwick and Newbold Comyn, Leamington Spa.

"The Council will work with partner organisations, including Kenilworth School and Meadow Community Sports Centre in Kenilworth, to offer a variety of activities for families and youngsters during the period of closure until the new facilities are open.

"The Scouts and Guides currently based at Castle Farm may return to the building when Government restrictions are lifted, but the Council is working with them to find suitable locations for their meetings during the demolition and reconstruction phases, before they move into their new home in the new building."