Residents slam Council for ‘depriving children’ after Deptford pool is faced with closure

By Grainne Cuffe, local democracy reporter

Lewisham Council has failed to allay concerns that a leisure pool in Deptford will not reopen.  

Wavelengths Leisure Centre closed along with all other leisure facilities across the borough when the UK went into lockdown.  

Before the pandemic it offered a leisure pool with flumes, enjoyed by local children, and a 25-metre fitness pool. 

The leisure centre’s gym reopened in line with Government guidance this month – the fitness pool is not set to reopen until this summer as it is undergoing “significant repair works”.  

But it has emerged that the leisure pool may not reopen and a consultation on its what to do about the repairs needed is underway.

The council said it “needs even more significant work” than the fitness pool and issues need to be “investigated”.  

Locals have said it would be “unacceptable” to keep the leisure pool closed and deprive children of the space.  

Trina Lynskey, chair of DeptfordFolk, tweeted: “No swimming pool for Lewisham’s most densely populated and most deprived communities in the north of the borough for the foreseeable.  

“No pool planned in development of thousands of new homes. 

“£7 million funding generated in Evelyn used to fund pools elsewhere.” 

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “We are currently undertaking significant repair works to the fitness pool at Wavelengths, which will reopen in the summer.  

“This work will increase its lifespan by another 20 years at least. 

“Unfortunately, the leisure pool needs even more significant work, and while we would like to reopen it at the same time, we need to investigate these issues and consider the options, any proposals will be subject to consultation with users and other residents. 

“This means we are unable to give a date for reopening, and if necessary we will ensure that family sessions are offered in the fitness pool when that reopens. 

“These improvement works are much needed.  

“We have recently entered into a new partnership with Better, and have committed to investing millions of pounds into the improvement and running of leisure services over the next few years and we hope residents will soon benefit from this.” 

DeptfordFolk also asked why CIL funding generated from development in Evelyn could not be used to repair and reopen the pool.  

The council is expected to respond on Tuesday. 

The management of Wavelengths changed from Fusion to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) in August, along with most of Lewisham’s leisure centres.

The council cut ties with Fusion in the wake of “significant financial challenges” caused by lockdown.

According to the council, reports about the company were not positive.

Elsewhere in the borough 

Earlier this year the council decided not to reopen the Bridge Leisure Centre in Lower Sydenham over financial pressures, prompting an outcry from locals.   

The decision came after a warning from the mayor of Lewisham in October that the cost of making the centre Covid-secure might be too great for the council to justify.  

It is unclear when or if the centre will open again, but a review is expected later in the year.