By Rebecca Maer
More than 200 people turned out on a grey, cold Saturday morning at the Sovereign Centre to voice their concerns about the long-term future of the seafront swimming pool complex.
Families waved placards, children chanted into megaphones and a large motorbike cavalcade swept up, all making their feelings clear about what the centre meant to them.
Today’s protest had been planned before Eastbourne Borough Council announced earlier this week that it was negotiating with social enterprise GLL as a potential operator.
The Liberal Democrat-controlled council had previously said it would close the fun pool and the leisure pool to save about £300,000 a year and balance the budget.
That would have only left the deep 25-metre gala pool open, which had been earmarked for use for children’s swimming lessons.
Under a new contract, the fun pool might only open seasonally, from the spring until October, a proposal which many have criticised.
There are also concerns about the long-term future of the centre because the council has indicated a minimum three-year lease could be granted.
Protest organiser Sarah Turner, pictured in the main image, started the Save the Sovereign Centre Facebook page. Her placard read: ‘We saved the pool. But why did it take this?!’
She said of the large crowd: “It is quite overwhelming – I feel a bit emotional.
“It is incredible, but it wasn’t just me, it was everybody. I think people felt they needed to speak out. It is about community and coming together because they care.
“It felt the announcement this week [about GLL] was enough to placate everyone but people are still showing that they are not happy.”
She said questions still remain about the pools: “They are not keeping everything open – are there other options to keep it open for longer? What are they [the council] trying now if they are still negotiating?
“Surely the council could give them [GLL] some financial help and security until they get the membership numbers back up.”
Hannah Gates was with her daughter Katie, 11, above. Katie’s birthday party was booked at the fun pool in November but it was cancelled with no warning.
Hannah said: “We come here most weekends. It’s our only relaxing time in a busy week – this is her fun time. There is nowhere else local for children with a fun pool with slides and a wave machine.”
Katie said: “I felt really annoyed. It’s really fun entertainment.” And now? “I feel a lot happier.”
Fundraising motorbike group Rolling Rides turned out with about 50 riders to support the protest.
Co-founders of the group are Mark Hopgood, above left, and his dad Martin, right, who were both there. Mark said: “I used to come here a lot – we wanted to help support the Sovereign Centre.”
Several Conservative borough councillors attended along with Eastbourne’s Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde.
However, the Eastbourne Reporter did not see any Lib Dem borough councillors during the hour we were at the event.
The Conservative opposition group finance spokesman Cllr David Small questioned the council’s initial decision to leave the contract with Wave Leisure, which announced the fun pool and training pool would close.
He was among the large crowd and said: “It is fantastic to see so many people show up.”
Cllr Small, above, said of the potential GLL deal: “The news should be welcomed and it is a step forward, but it is half a job.
“There are issues with seasonal opening only for the fun pool which is not enough, because for many people it is the only pool in the area they can access.
He said the council had done a U-turn and effectively done what the Conservative group suggested in going to market again and finding another operator.
Council leader Stephen Holt stated in the press release about the potential GLL deal: “Despite council-run pools closing across the country over the last decade due to spiralling costs, councillors have been determined to find the most sustainable solution for the future of the Sovereign Centre.
“The agreement in negotiation with GLL would achieve this, and without taxpayers being charged an unaffordable £300,000 plus every year to plug the gap.
“As a result of these negotiations, the training pool will remain open. We will also be reopening the fun pool as soon as possible.”
We have approached Eastbourne Borough Council for further comment.
MP Josh Babarinde, above, said he had come because he felt it was important to listen to people.
“I know how much the Sovereign Centre means to local people and it is really important for me to come here to show support for our community and hear their concerns and vision.
“The whole community has come together with amazing champions to speak up – that is a testament to how strong our community is. It is democracy in action.”
Just six weeks ago, dozens of protesters attended the council’s scrutiny committee meeting at which they heard of a plan to section off the deep gala pool to use for children’s swimming lessons.
GLL, which trades under the brand Better, operates 140 pools across the UK.
The council said on Monday a minimum lease of three years “is set to be agreed” that would retain the 25-metre gala pool, keep the training pool open and enable the fun pool “to welcome swimmers seasonally, from spring to October”.
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