Petition to save ‘much-loved’ leisure pool receives over 1000 signatures in just 24 hours

Deptford residents have launched a campaign to save a much-loved leisure pool that has already received over 1000 signatures in just 24 hours.

Wavelengths Leisure Centre on Giffin Street, which has a leisure pool with flumes and a 25-metre fitness pool, has not reopened to swimmers since the first lockdown.

The centre’s gym reopened in line with Government guidance last month but the fitness pool is not set to reopen until this summer as it is undergoing “significant repair works” with estimated repair costs of £700,000.    

Frustrated residents have said it is wrong to deprive local children of the space and have questioned where the money from new developments in the area is being spent.

The petition calls on the Mayor and council to work with the local community to reopen the leisure pool at prices that remain affordable to all.

Campaign founder Anne-Marie stated, “Wavelengths is a treasured resource for our children and families in the most ethnically diverse area of Lewisham.

“As children recover from the impact of Covid, it’s even more important to invest in their wellbeing.” 

Locals have also asked why CIL funding generated from development in the Evelyn ward could not be used to repair and reopen the pool – the council has declined to comment on this.

Rabiya McKeverene said: “Wavelengths was always packed pre-lockdown and is a vital resource to this diverse community now more than ever before.

“I honestly feel that shutting this pool will affect the most deprived and vulnerable of the community, widening health inequalities and reducing quality of life for the most needy. Please keep this pool open.”

Local councillors have responded defensively to the campaign, saying that no decision has been made about the pool’s future yet.

“If improvements to the second pool are made then the council will have to consider which funding streams are available to invest in the facility,” added one spokeswoman.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson previously told the local democracy service: “Wavelengths is an important community asset in Deptford.   

“We have extensively upgraded Wavelengths over the past few months, spending over £300,000 at the centre, including the full retiling of the 25-metre pool to guarantee its life for the next 20 years.   

“The leisure pool also needs extensive investment to bring it back into operation – we estimate this will cost around £700,000.   

“In addition, the leisure pool runs at a significant financial deficit due to very high utility bills because of the large water area and high ceilings in the pool hall. This loss is in the region of £400,000 a year.  

“When making decisions about investments of this size, it’s important we speak to leisure users and the wider community to make sure we are funding facilities that will be well used and meet residents’ needs.”  

You can access the petition here: https://www.change.org/savewavelengths