In the latest bid to cut costs for Eastbourne, the local council are proposing to permanently close the fun pool and the diving pool in the Sovereign Centre. The space will then be used to create another soft play for the town as well as ideas for a climbing wall and extra gym capacity.

For many people in the town, the Sovereign Centre is the only affordable swimming facility where they can take children of all ages. The fun pool is an incredibly popular attraction used by residents and tourists alike.

Although swimming lessons will continue in the gala pool and training pool, the fun pool is also vital for practicing and cementing any swimming skills learnt. It is also used for water based fitness classes which are incredibly popular in the town. 

As a seaside town, we should take water safety incredibly seriously and not reduce the opportunities for people of all ages to practice this life saving skill.

There are already numerous soft play offerings across the town, including Treasure Island just down the road, but there are no other facilities likened to the fun pool in the area. 

This town is already potentially being stripped of so much that many of the tourists we rely on so heavily may stop coming. This will have a detrimental effect on local businesses and therefore the wider community. 

At the moment, these plans are in the consultation period and nothing is set in stone but I wanted to get a petition up and running in order to show the council how much this service means to the local people. 

I myself have used the fun pool as a child and now my two children enjoy it just as much. It is a much loved part of the community so lets help show the council that we will not let it be closed. There must be other options!