By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Controversial plans to replace one of the pools at a city centre swimming complex with an indoor play zone have been paused by the council.
The Quays. Photo: BH Live
Article continues after this message...
The decision was announced at the Southampton City Council cabinet meeting on Tuesday, September 22, when council leaders had been expected to approve the £1.65 million scheme.
The local authority will now carry out engagement with regular users, families, schools and organisations before deciding future investment at The Quays.
As reported, the proposal would have replaced the lagoon pool with a large indoor play zone alongside refurbishing toilets and changing facilities, new party rooms, and an expanded kitchen, café and reception.
It had faced opposition from residents, including Shirley mother Gemma Alexander.
A petition started by Ms Alexander, pictured below, has received 952 signatures.
She said the pool was important to her five-year-old son, Benjamin, who has sensory needs and is awaiting an autism assessment.
Ms Alexander, 45, said the pool was the only one her son would use outside his swimming lessons because it was warm and allowed him to enter the water gradually.
She said: “I get the idea for upgrading the centre but closing it for a soft play when they’re opening one over in the Westquay and you’ve got people closing down other sites.
“If they came out and said about just upgrading the changing rooms and the toilets that would be fine.
“Removing the pool didn’t make sense.”
Ms Alexander added: “I thought this is very important for kids. It’s so important because if they’re scared of water or anything like my son was, it took years to get him to go.
“It is so important for children that they can have fun while learning and that they’re safe. ”
Council officers said the scheme could help improve the financial sustainability of the leisure centre while attracting more families and not losing provision due to the retention of the two other pools.
Concerns about the proposal were raised by the overview and scrutiny management committee last week.
Speaking at cabinet, Toqeer Kataria, Labour councillor responsible for leisure, said: “Following discussions at the overview and scrutiny committee meeting and feedback from people who regularly use the Quays, we have decided to withdraw the report on proposed changes to the Quays from today’s cabinet agenda.”
He added: “We have listened to the views expressed and hear a strong feeling about the future of the lagoon pool.”
Cllr Kataria said the council still needed to modernise The Quays and keep leisure services affordable and sustainable.
He said: “Swimming, water safety, water confidence building for babies, toddlers, children and families remain a priority for the Quays and any future decisions that we make and will be a priority throughout the engagement that takes place with the users.”
Labour council leader Sarah Bogle said: “This is just a decision to pause and to do some engagement.”
She said the council would need to return to the issue because investment was required at the facility.
Conservative group leader Peter Baillie welcomed the decision, but questioned whether the scheme had been scrapped or was still being considered.
Cllr Kataria said: “All options are on the table, but that all comes out through the engagement that we do with the users.”
Previously
Petition opposes plans to turn leisure pool into play area
Photo of Shirley resident Gemma Alexander by Gemma Alexander
This article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Some alterations/additions may have been made by our site - a BBC Local News Partnerships member. BBC-funded LDRS journalists cover local authorities and public service organisations, with content shared by all partners.