Sawbridgeworth Town Council writes to education ministers urging them to give Leventhorpe pool two-year lifeline
Education ministers have been urged to give Leventhorpe swimming pool and gym a stay of execution for two years by Sawbridgeworth Town Council while a “sustainable long-term solution is explored”.
The announcement that the facilities at the secondary school in Cambridge Road are to close on December 22 due to Government funding being withdrawn has sparked a furious backlash from residents and local councillors.
A petition launched by the town council has garnered 3,136 signatures while another by resident Dave Mascall has reached 2,882.
Now, in what the town council has termed a “significant step” in its campaign to save the popular facility, an urgent letter has been sent to school standards minister Catherine McKinnell and early education minister Stephen Morgan.
The letter, signed by all 12 town councillors, outlines the vital role the pool plays in the health, safety and wellbeing of residents.
It highlights the devastating impact its closure would have on local families, children and older people, with the pool providing essential life-saving swimming lessons and accessible physical activity for all ages.
The council has asked for £300,000 in ‘exceptional circumstances’ funding over the next two years to cover the shortfall created by recent changes to the Government’s funding formula for schools.
The letter states: “Leventhorpe Swimming Pool is more than just a facility; it is a vital community asset that enables children to meet the national curriculum’s swimming requirements and supports our older residents in staying active and socially connected.
“Without support, our community stands to lose a resource that is irreplaceable in terms of its accessibility, inclusivity and impact on health and safety.”
Alongside the letter, the council sent the ministers a comprehensive pack of materials to demonstrate the pool’s significance to the community. This includes:
Cllr Angus Parsad-Wyatt, one of three Sawbridgeworth members of East Herts Council, said: “The stories we’ve gathered from residents and schoolchildren highlight just how important this pool is, not only for physical health but for community spirit, safety and education.
“We are doing everything we can to save it, but the decision now lies with the Government. The future of this pool depends on whether they provide the funding needed to keep it open.”
Town councillor Dawn Newell shared her experience of the pool, too, saying: “I have been a member of Leventhorpe pool for over 20 years.
“There is a man of 91 who swims there every week, and many other older people who get the bus there which stops directly outside – ideal for people that don’t drive.
“It will be such a great loss to vulnerable people in our community if the pool closes, and it will take away independence from children who can walk there during the school holidays and learn to swim.”
The campaign to save the pool has attracted cross-party support from town, district and county councillors, as well as from Hertford and Stortford MP Josh Dean, who has been engaging with ministers on the issue.
