Three Rivers bucking the trend on swimming pools

Updated: 8 November 2019

A Swim England survey recently reported that more than a third of local council swimming pools could be closed in the next 30 years.

A Swim England survey recently reported that more than a third of local council swimming pools could be closed in the next 30 years.

However in Three Rivers the council are bucking the trend, with a new swimming pool being built in South Oxhey.  The new facility at the South Oxhey Leisure Centre in Gosforth Lane is on track to open in June 2020.

This will replace the pool at the Sir James Altham site, which has reached the end of its lifespan, and will add a learner pool to the brand new 25 metre pool, together with other improvements to the leisure centre.

The redevelopment of the South Oxhey Leisure Centre is an £9 million pound project being funded by Three Rivers to increase the provision and accessibility to sports and recreation activities for its residents.

Three Rivers will continue to offer free swimming sessions to over 60’s all year round and under 19’s can swim for free during sessions in the Easter and summer holidays. The council’s pools also have disability access lifts, meaning that the pools are accessible to all.

The provision of new leisure facilities and pools in Three Rivers means there isn’t a better time to head to your local pool and go for a swim. And don’t let the winter months put you off. Benefits of swimming include:

  • a full workout for your body, whilst  being low-impact for joints
  • helping maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs
  • being a relaxing and peaceful form of exercise.

Lead member for Leisure, Councillor Chris Lloyd said: “Sport and recreation activities are such an important part of health and wellbeing. Three Rivers is committed to providing access to leisure facilities for all our residents, and going against the trend to offer a new swimming facility with both a main and learner pool is a great benefit. I’m very much looking forward to the new pool being open in summer 2020.”

To find out more about opening hours and pool availability head to:  https://www.threeriversleisure.co.uk/leisure-venues