Swimming pool reopens after £600k restoration

A village swimming pool, which was closed down nearly four years ago, has been reopened after undergoing a restoration worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Sawtry Swimming Pool, at One Leisure Sawtry, in Cambridgeshire, was shut in December 2022 due to rising financial pressures and low usage.

However, following a £600,000 injection of funding and after undergoing a major renovation, the facility has now welcomed back swimmers.

Specialist pool plant equipment was replaced, air handling and hot water systems were replaced, and a new pool cover and hoist were installed to improve accessibility.

Mike Gildersleeves, corporate director for place at Huntingdonshire District Council, said the new-look pool would bring "significant benefits to the local community".

"Reopening and reinvigorating this facility is bucking the national trend," he said.

"Reinstating the pool will help address the district's shortage of swimming facilities and meet increasing local demand.

"We are delighted that residents will once again have access to a local leisure centre and swimming pool."

The reopening has been a collaborative effort between the council, the Meridian Trust and Sawtry Village Academy.

It was funded by £360,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy, £180,000 from the authority, and £60,000 from the academy.

Mark Woods, CEO of Meridian Trust, said: "This investment has not only restored a vital local facility but also enhanced health, wellbeing, and learning for all.

"We look forward to seeing the pool once again serve as a hub of activity and community spirit in Sawtry."

Simon Parsons, principal of Sawtry Village Academy, said reopening the pool was "fantastic for both students and the wider community".

"Swimming is a vital life skill, and having on-site access to such a facility will strengthen our curriculum and extra-curricular offerings," he added.

"We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on generations of young people and local residents alike."

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