Swimming pool reopens after leak and funding dispute

The swimming pool at Southwell Leisure Centre has reopened after its closure nearly three years ago.

The pool closed in October 2023 after a major water leak and became the focus of a dispute between Newark and Sherwood District Council and the Southwell Leisure Centre Trust.

The council wanted to build a new £5.5m leisure centre, while the trust pushed to repair the existing pool. With no agreement reached, the council withdrew its funding in May 2024.

The centre is now operated by Creative Futures, Parkwood Leisure and the trust, which funded the pool repair as part of a £700,000 project.

Trust chairwoman Jo Harbord said the reopening of the pool marked a major moment for the town.

"We are delighted that the pool is back up and running, delighted to have swimmers back in and looking forward to a bright future," she said.

Harbord said the closure had a significant impact on residents of all ages.

While discussions over the pool's future continued, swimmers were forced to use facilities in Newark, Ollerton and Bingham, often unsure whether Southwell's pool would ever reopen.

Resident Naomi Emerton said she had also been travelling to other pools during the closure.

"I've been lucky enough to go swimming elsewhere, but not nearly as frequently as I'd like, it's so much further to drive," she said. "But it's even more important for our kids. There's a generation who just haven't had enough swimming lessons.

"It's amazing to have the pool back, and it feels like a new one [the pool] because it's been entirely refurbished."

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