Wardle Aquatics Centre to close as it "has yet to break even"

The Wardle Aquatics Centre

The Wardle Aquatics Centre is to close just 16 months after it opened as it has yet to break even.

Mark Moorhouse, CEO of the Watergrove Trust, which runs the pool, has released a public statement saying that the decision to close the pool “has not been taken lightly.”

The pool had not yet made enough money to cover its running costs and that the enforced closure due the Covid-19 pandemic hasn't helped matters.

The pool opened in March 2019 after 12 months of building work.

During the lockdown period of 2020, the government closed a number of facilities to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Leisure centres and indoor gyms, along with swimming pools and other indoor sports facilities, have been closed since Saturday 21 March.

Indoor pools can re-open from Saturday 25 July, with social distancing measures in place.

In his statement, released on Tuesday 21 July, Mr Moorhouse said: “This was not a decision taken lightly by the Board of Trustees of the Watergrove Trust and agreement was reached only after significant and complex discussions.

“The context is that despite investment, remarketing and the best efforts of all involved, the pool has yet to break even and continues to take resource away from Trust schools. The situation has been worsened by the impact of Covid-19 strictures which mean that it is even more difficult to achieve the footfall required to make the pool a going concern.

“The Department for Education is absolutely clear in its expectation that Trustees take responsibility for the Trust’s financial management and in making this difficult decision they have enacted that duty.

“Recent works to the roof of the pool building ensure that it can be modified to provide more space for Wardle Academy to better implement its curriculum offer and Trustees have directed work to start immediately in adapting the building for this purpose.

“Please note that any pre-booked lessons will be refunded in full. A member of our team will contact you.”