Save the Malden Centre

Kingston Council

The Malden Centre swimming pool is at risk of closure following years of under-investment by both the Lib Dems and the Conservatives.

The Council announced this week that the swimming pool roof was in urgent need of repair, and would be closed for ‘two and a half weeks’, starting over February half term.

Haven’t we heard all of this before?

The Lib Dem Council said exactly the same about the Kingfisher Pool in 2019, which has remained closed ever since - the Lib Dems now plan to knock down the Kingfisher.

This leaves local residents without a single publicly-owned swimming pool in the entire borough, with the Council telling swimming members that their membership cards will be valid in Putney and Dorking instead.

A recent report published by Swim England warns that 2000 swimming pools could close in England over the next 10 years unless urgent action is taken.

Lib Dem Councillor John Sweeney - responsible for leisure facilities in the borough - claimed in September 2021 that there was no issue with the roof at the Malden Centre - was he lying, or is he just incompetent?

Councillor Jon Tolley quit the Lib Dem group in 2021, slamming them for ‘dishonesty’ over their plans for the swimming pools in the borough. Jon Tolley is the third Lib Dem Cllr to resign since 2018 over their plans.

Local Independents have launched an urgent petition to Kingston Council calling on them to provide a cast-iron guarantee that the pool will be reopened forthwith, and to commit to keeping a publicly-owned swimming pool open in New Malden.
Petition by
JAMES GILES
JAMES GILES
London, United Kingdom
Sponsored by
Cleanshot_2020-12-01_at_00.13.44_2x
Kingston Independent Residents Group

To: Kingston Council
From: [Your Name]

“We call upon Kingston Council to guarantee to reopen the Malden Centre without delay, rule out demolition when repair is a feasible option, and implement the recommendations in the Swim England report, setting out a long-term plan for pools in Kingston.”