Kettering Borough Council’s vision is for the Town Centre to become “a community hub or civic heart incorporating areas for health and wellbeing, housing, education, arts, entertainment and culture as well as retail”.

Kettering Swimming Pool is a town centre facility for sport & leisure. The facility is 35 years old and not fit for purpose. Air quality is poor, changing rooms are dated, viewing gallery is inadequate and the roof leaks despite repairs in 2017 after part of the ceiling fell into the pool during swimming lessons.

Almost 5M adults in England swim regularly (1). Swimming is the top participation sport in Kettering and is the sport that more Kettering adults would like to do. (2)

In 2011 the Borough needed an additional 236 sq. m of water for swimming. By 2031 that shortage will have grown to 476 sq. m, which is equivalent to an additional 25m x 6 lane swimming pool. (2)

In April 2021 North Northamptonshire Unitary Authority will take over the responsibility for the Boroughs of Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and East Northants. Currently, there is no consideration for a new or improved swimming pool or leisure facility within the Borough of Kettering – though Wellingborough has prioritised an additional swimming pool. (3)

We call on Kettering Borough Council to reconsider its investment priorities within the scope of the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy to include a new swimming pool that meets the demands of the Borough.

(1) Sport England, Active Lives Report November 2017/18

(2) North Northamptonshire Strategic Sports Facilities Framework Update, September 2014

(3) North Northamptonshire Investment Framework 2019