Feasibility work on new Sudbury swimming facilities moves forward

A report published by Babergh District Council this week shows Alliance Leisure, a leading UK leisure development partner, was commissioned back in 2025 to explore longer-term options for swimming facilities in the town.

This work is now being updated, alongside the development of potential funding strategies, following the closure of the pool at Kingfisher Leisure Centre for safety reasons in September.

Babergh District Council’s cabinet – keen to restore swimming to Sudbury as quickly as possible - will meet on 10 November to discuss this and the next steps.

One of the recommendations is that Alliance Leisure presents an updated report – setting out revised options and funding strategies in light of additional structural information about the pool – to a cabinet meeting in January.

The initial options set out in its original report were:

• A major refurbishment of the existing space to provide a 25m pool, new mezzanine floor and expanded activity, fitness and health space, costing an estimated £17.75m.
• A newly built leisure centre, providing a modern, fit for purpose facility with 25m pool, learner pool, alongside fitness, soft play, wellbeing areas and a cafe. The report estimated this would cost £28.2m.

Alternative options were considered and included in the report, but ultimately discounted as they did not make the most efficient use of the site or represent the best value for money. 

Cllr Laura Smith, cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “We commissioned this work last year – while, at the same time, hoping we could extend the life of the existing pool for as long as possible through ongoing maintenance.

“Unfortunately, the structural issues have forced it to close sooner than we wanted, but we are determined to restore a swimming pool to Sudbury as soon as we can.

“The next step is for Alliance Leisure to update their report and present the most suitable options alongside funding strategies.”

Around £400K had been spent since 2024/25 to ensure the pool could be kept operational. There was £1.7m within the capital programme from 25/26 to 30/31, but the cost of a pool rebuild is far beyond this.

Cllr Smith said: “It simply isn’t possible for most local councils to save enough money to build a new leisure centre. We face rising costs and must continue funding vital, statutory services that residents rely on, many of which we still subsidise. 

“However, we will explore all feasible options and funding opportunities, and we are also starting conversations with funding bodies such as Sport England and Swim England.”

Since the pool’s closure, the council’s partners Abbeycroft, which operates the leisure centre, has moved swimming lessons to alternative locations. All school swimming lessons this term have been relocated to either Hadleigh or Halstead.

Opening hours have been extended at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure to accommodate additional general swimming sessions and create more capacity. More low impact sessions are also being offered at Kingfisher Leisure Centre to support people looking for alternatives to swimming. 

Meanwhile, the council is also exploring the feasibility of a temporary pool, and meetings have been held with Thomas Gainsborough School to discuss how Cornard Swimming Pool may be used in future.

The cabinet report notes, however, that any significant investment in temporary facilities will need to be balanced against the ultimate aim of delivering permanent facilities in the town.