April pool’s day

The newly named Rye Leisure Centre is now locally owned and run thanks to a huge community effort that has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to ensure its future. A ceremony on Tuesday, April 1 at the centre marked the change over, with the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Andrew Blackman praising local people’s hard work in making it happen.

Cutting a ribbon to mark the occasion, he told the centre’s supporters their determination to save the centre would ensure its success. “I know how disappointed everyone was when the pool closed, but having the community so behind it now will make it thrive.”

The move to local ownership sees Rye Town Council taking on a twenty-year lease on the site’s freehold which was finally signed on Tuesday lunchtime. The centre will be run by the new Rye Recreation and Wellbeing CIO, with ambitious plans said chairman Barry Nealon.

“We will mange the centre profitably to support the local community. It will be a privilege to look after the centre for the next twenty years.” He highlighted the months of hard work and local collaboration between the three local councils – Rye, Rother and East Sussex – and the new charity. “I’m euphoric but exhausted!”

Trustee Cllr Rebekah Gilbert also thanked the teams responsible. “The centre is so important for our community and when the pool closed in November 2022 there was real anger. People told us it is too important to the town to close. Our plan is to be more than a sports centre and to deliver health and well-being to the local community.”

She highlighted the work of fellow trustee Cllr Vagn Hansen in making the money work. “He has worked astronomically hard. Phenomenal.” Along with hundreds of thousands of pounds raised in grants from the government and Sports England, over £300,000 has been donated by over 150 local people. She also added her thanks to The Mermaid Inn for supplying the wonderful refreshments for the opening.

The centre’s new director is Dan Lynn who has been part of the project group taking the centre to local ownership from the previous operator Freedom Leisure. He told the meeting “The team here are fantastic. So welcoming in spite of the very uncertain times.”

Mayor Andy Stuart praised the community spirit which has seen local people take on the centre. “It’s another example about what makes Rye special. People stepping up with dedication and hard work.”

Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore also applauded this week’s changeover. “The pool will now stay at the heart of our community, run by and for the people who value it most. I encourage everyone to make use of it, whether for swimming lessons, fitness, or simply as a place to bring people together. I am proud to support community led projects like this which show the power of local action.” You can read more about the centre from the MP here.

One of the groups who regularly use the centre also attended the event which took place in the building’s reception area. The Mermaids are a group of ten women and five men who visit the centre three times a week. Sheila Goldsmith explained how vital the pool is. “It’s my life and with the pain I’m in it’s a real lifeline. The staff are so friendly. We love coming here. This is home.”

Meanwhile, news from along the coast shows how fortunate Rye has been as proposals for a new leisure facility in Bexhill look likely to delayed and redrawn. Rother District Council says inflation and rising construction costs have pushed the initial £15.5 million bill for the new King Offa Leisure and Residential Development to an estimated £26 million.

The proposals will be discussed when the council’s cabinet meets on Monday, April 7 with the recommendation that money should be re-allocated to housing. £2 million from council reserves would still need to be spent on structural repairs and refurbishment of Bexhill Leisure Centre and Ravenside Pool.

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Image Credits: Kt bruce .