Rye Swimming Pool is set to reopen its doors to the public from Monday October 2.

Rother District Council and Freedom Leisure, the not-for-profit charitable leisure trust that manages the facility, have worked tirelessly to find a way to reopen Rye Swimming Pool as soon as possible after soaring energy costs forced its temporary closure in 2022.

Freedom Leisure will focus on offering as wide a range of service as possible from the start. However, opening hours and sessions offered may be different from before the closure due to ongoing issues with costs and recruitment.  It is anticipated that Freedom Leisure will seek to increase the initial offering as use of the pool by the local community increases.

Cllr Hazel Timpe, the district council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhood services and tourism, said: “We are delighted that, after almost a year, people will soon be able to use their local pool again, and are pleased that Freedom Leisure is doing everything it can to offer as much access as possible. I’d also like to thank Cllrs Simon McGurk and Cheryl Creaser  for their support.

“It is vital that people now show their support and use the facility to ensure that its future is viable.”

Ivan Horsfall Turner, Freedom Leisure Chief Executive Officer, said: “Despite the unprecedented and well documented financial challenges our sector continues to face, we are very pleased to announce the re-opening of Rye Swimming Pool.

“We continue to work collaboratively with the council and the other local community groups to ensure the longer-term future of the facility.  We hope the people of Rye will see this as a positive initial step and support their local community sports centre now and into the future as we grow the programme.”

Richard Farhall, Rye Town Clerk, added: Rye Town Council and the Rye Leisure Centre Community Working Group are pleased that a way has been found to re-open the pool – but will continue to work on a long-term sustainable plan for both the pool and the sports centre.

Initially the pool will be open limited days and times and this information will be published at www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/rye as soon as they are confirmed.  Opening hours will be kept under constant review in line with actual use by members of the public.

Rother District Council continues to work with Freedom Leisure, Rye Town Council and East Sussex County Council to ensure a sustainable future for the pool.

Ends

Published: 14th September 2023