Oakham's swimming pool will need to stay closed even after lockdown lifts
Due to structural issues with the building
Oakham's swimming pool at Catmose Sports Centre will need to stay closed even after lockdown lifts - due to structural issues with the building.
A project by Rutland County Council to examine leisure facilities in the area carried out a full survey on the Sports Centre and it was confirmed that the pool can't be used unless major improvements are made.
Discussions are now ongoing between Catmose College (who own the campus site), Rutland County Council (who lease the sports and swimming facilities for public use) and Stevenage Leisure Ltd (who are contracted to manage the sports centre and pool).
Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Rutland County Council, said: “Leisure and sports facilities like fitness centres, gyms and swimming pools are currently required to close under the latest COVID-19 restrictions for England. They are expected to remain closed until March, at the earliest.
“Having given the go-ahead for a major project to understand the future leisure and wellbeing needs of people in Rutland, a building survey looking at the condition of the current facilities at Catmose Sports Centre has made it clear there are significant concerns about the structure housing the swimming pool. All parties involved in the running of Catmose Swimming Pool are therefore in agreement that it should not reopen after lockdown"
She continues:
“The needs assessment that prompted this condition survey will still take place, as planned. Discussions about the long-term future of Catmose Swimming Pool will continue alongside the needs assessment. The level of work required to make the pool structure safe and the estimated cost of that work mean it’s not something that can be undertaken as a quick fix. It will need to form part of wider considerations about the long-term future of leisure provision in Rutland.”