Plans to secure the future of Rye’s swimming pool and sports centre will only happen if more people start using the leisure centre and give their full support to the fundraising appeal launched at the weekend. That was the message heard by over seventy five people who took part in a public meeting in the centre’s sports hall on Saturday July 27.
Revealing details of how the centre could be locally owned and run, project managers Rebekah Gilbert and Dan Lynn were joined by Barry Nealon, the chairman of the charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), a not-for-profit company that hopes to take over from Freedom Leisure who currently have the contract to operate the pool and sports centre. “Freedom runs this building at a significant loss, however we envisage we can start to break even by year three.” The new company hopes to take over on January 1 2025, subject to lease agreements and other negotiations.
He explained how cash was urgently needed calling on local people to support the fundraising appeal. “We need to raise £150,000 working capital in the community by the start of September to kick things off. We have been promised over £100,000 so far but please support us in getting the rest. We believe Rye needs this centre. It’s so vital.”
The JustGiving link to donate is: https://www.justgiving.com/ryeclc
The September 2 deadline is when Rye Town Council (RTC) will vote on whether to approve the CIO’s plans for the sports centre – RTC is the financial guarantor for the new company. The town hall has been heavily involved in discussions, along with Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council who own different leases for different parts of the centre and car park.
Funding has already been secured to start repairing the centre and making it run more sustainably thanks to a £650,000 Levelling Up bid from central government. Further bids are with other national funders; however, the centre’s financial future depends on more people using the facilities and a much larger fundraising appeal in the new year. This bigger appeal has been described as the largest community initiative since the pool was built and the campaign to save Rye Hospital thirty years ago. Money is needed now though to pay wages and bills, to keep the lights on, and to act as a buffer as the centre getsmore memberships and revenues confirmed.
Rebekah Gilbert shared how she thought the centre could be better used. “We need to think of this building not just as a sports centre. It has so much potential for supporting the health and well-being of people in Rye through adult education, training, hosting events, and advice clinics. We can support mental health as well as physical fitness. There’s so much potential to get people through the doors.”
“If you don’t support this centre, it will disappear,” Dan Lynn told the public meeting. “We all need to use the facilities. Not just through gym memberships and swims but hiring it as a venue for things like children’s parties. Rye is a small town and having a centre this well-equipped is a luxury similar sized town don’t enjoy. It really is a case of use it or lose it.”
Hastings and Rye’s new MP Helena Dollimore gave her support at the meeting. “I will help all I can. I really hope the community will come together, as it did 18 months ago when the pool was closed.”
Rye mayor Andy Stuart thanked the small team who have been working on developing the plans.
Members of the public speaking at the meeting raised concerns about the centre’s green future and improving transport links to bring more people in. PV cells are going to put on the roof this autumn and the new company will bid for more funds for green energy as and when it can.
The staff at the centre were also thanked to loud applause for their efforts in keeping the centre running in the face on recent uncertainty. Speaking after the meeting members of the Mermaids swimming club explained how vital the pool and sports centre is to their lives. “It’s a wonderful place. It’s like a family here – and the team who run it are fantastic. I live for coming here. It’s a real lifeline.”
The new website to support the appeal was also launched at the meeting. By visiting https://ryeleisurecentre.co.
Their Facebook page is here.
Image Credits: James Stewart , Isabel Ryan .
I would love to use the pool but I work 07:00-17:30 Monday-Thursday. So it’s not available to me I believe. I go in the sea instead when the sewage isn’t flowing and the tide allows.
Bubbs
FYI, times in the pool for August, lane swimming Mon-Fri 18.00-20.00. Fri lane swimming
most of the day and also on Sat & Sun 10.00-13.00 They issue timings monthly on the counter at reception.