The swimming pool at Hailsham’s Freedom Leisure Centre is to be closed throughout December so urgent maintenance work and repairs can be carried out.
A decision was made by Freedom Leisure, which operates the facility on behalf of Wealden District Council, and the council to close the pool until the new year to carry out the work that requires a full drain down of the pool. The popular flume will also be repaired during the closure.
Following an intensive investigation, Freedom Leisure received guidance from specialists that in order to safeguard the long-term future of the pool, the pool would have to be completely relined which requires an empty pool. The closure will also give Freedom Leisure the opportunity to repair the flume at the same time which has been missed by many customers.
Freedom Leisure and the council are aware that this urgent maintenance will cause inevitable disruption and inconvenience to customers.
As a result of the pool closure there will be no swimming sessions or swimming lessons from 1 December 2023. It is hoped that the pool will be re-opened on Tuesday 2 January 2024 but Freedom Leisure will update customers by email, social media and text.
Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat), and lead councillor for Public Health, Wellbeing and Asset Management, said, “The decision to close the pool was not a decision taken lightly, but had to be made as our residents’ health and wellbeing always comes first. The council’s significant investment in the maintenance and repairs programme shows the commitment that the council has for the future of this pool.
“During the maintenance, Freedom Leisure pools at Crowborough Leisure Centre and Uckfield Leisure Centre are available for public swimming for Hailsham members.”
Toby Reed, Freedom Leisure’s area manager, said, “We would like to thank you our customers for their patience and understanding while we invest nearly £100k to improve the leisure facilities at Hailsham Leisure Centre.”
