As more and more of historic Eastbourne is being allowed to crumble away, without proper investment by the borough council, campaigners are deciding their next move to save a community pool.
While the future of the town’s iconic bandstand remains in doubt and its doors closed, the pool in Motcombe Road is under threat, having sat neglected for almost two years.
Conservative councillors in Eastbourne are appalled at the decay of these town assets. “Motcombe Pool should have reopened when the rest of the leisure facilities did at the end of the pandemic’s restrictions”, said a Conservative Group spokesman. “Not only have residents lost a pool, but the venue is a hub of the local Old Town community.”
A campaign group has been established, Friends of Motcombe Pool, to press the LibDem-run council for a clear plan for the repairs and a reopening date.
“The recent meeting of Full Council brought home the reality of the sorry situation regarding the continued closure of the pool and the council’s failure to manage its finances and prioritise making funds available to repair and reopen this essential community asset, particularly for the residents of Old Town and Upperton,” said Heidi Emery, Joint Acting Chair of The Friends of Motcombe Pool.
“The council has failed the local community at a time when meeting people’s physical and mental health should have been a priority as we move away from the restrictions of the pandemic over the last year. The council is very keen to hand over the responsibility to the community to fund, so sadly it won’t be open anytime soon!"
The Friends of Motcombe Pool say they need to carefully weigh up all the options for going forward in order to have the right conversations with the council.
This group has a Facebook group and welcomes new members.
Their email address to contact is: FriendsofMotcombePool@gmail.com
