Decision due on future of Weymouth swimming pool

The current management contract between Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and SLM Ltd ends in March, 2017 and the council’s scrutiny and performance committee will make a decision on its future this week.

It is to be recommended to the committee that a new long lease is offered on the current building with no management contract nor any specific service requirements.

A report to the council said that this is the ‘less expensive tender process’ with ‘potential for tenant to pay rent in due course.’

Issues are raised in the report over the condition of the building and that the council may lose control over the operation.

The swimming pool currently costs the council £412,000 a year and while there is no specific savings target for the service review it says there is a ‘clear need to reduce the cost of the service to the council to as near zero as is possible.’

A scrutiny working group has been reviewing the swimming pool service.

The recommendation was made as the working group considered the option will ensure the continuation of swimming facilities in the town whilst achieving the necessary cost savings.

The report said: “The working group considers that this option will ensure the continuation of swimming facilities in the town whilst achieving the necessary cost savings. This decision has been arrived at following detailed consideration of all issues, including specialist reports, and five working group meetings.”

However, the members are also considering that the town would, in future, benefit from a new swimming facility in a more accessible location if provided as a result of private sector investment as part of a comprehensive leisure development.

The report also noted that a review of the building in 2013 identified £933thousand of necessary improvements including maintenance, replacement and repair which could be addressed over a ten-year period but the building is in generally good condition.

As well as the recommended option of a long-term lease, four other options were proposed for a swimming pool in Weymouth.

These were a management contract for ten years on the current site with no refurbishments, a management contract for ten years with refurbishment, a new facility on a new site and closure and cessation of the service.

The Scrutiny and Performance Committee meet on Thursday, November 19 and any recommendation that they make will then move on to the council’s management committee.

Cllr Ian Bruce, chairman of the management committee, said: “I’m very pleased with the way negotiations are going on the future of the swimming pool but it’s too early yet to announce any decisions.”