Public Pool Faces Closure Despite £338,000 Renovation Cost

Plans are under consideration to shut down a public swimming pool, even though it has undergone renovations amounting to over £330,000. Liberal Democrat councillors on Bedford Borough Council have labeled the choice to renovate the Oasis Beach Pool complex, followed by a proposal for its closure, as “scandalous”. A report submitted to the executive for consideration next week suggests closing the complex while keeping the site available for future leisure facility development. According to a spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council, the report is currently under review, and no definitive decision has been reached. Henry Vann, the Liberal Democrat leader on the council, stated that allocating over a third of a million pounds in taxpayers’ funds to a facility designated for closure constitutes “a complete waste of money”. He remarked, “Some people think it (Oasis Beach Pool) should be restored and renewed and kept open as is, some people think it should be closed and replaced with something else – but at the moment only the Conservative administration on the council seems to be trying to do both.” The executive report indicated that “commercial operator options” would be investigated. Conservative councillor Sarah Gallagher, who holds the leisure portfolio on Bedford Borough Council, outlined the challenging choices: “Either do nothing and spend a staggering £900,000 of taxpayers’ money every year in revenue support, together with a colossal £7.4m just to bring it up to standard – or to close it altogether.” Ms Gallagher asserted: “This mess is the direct result of the Lib Dems’ incompetent handling of our community assets, leaving Bedford Borough Council and residents to bear the consequences.” She mentioned having met with staff on Thursday to assure them that while the recommendation was to close Oasis, no final decision had been reached, and any contrary suggestions were “pure speculation” from the Lib Dems. Gillan Kelly, partnership manager for Bedford for Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which assumed management of the site on 1 February, commented: “These decisions ultimately lie with Bedford Council, however we will do all we can to support the consultation process.”