Oxford City Council regretfully informs residents the planned opening of Hinksey Outdoor Pool tomorrow (Saturday 8 August) can no longer go ahead due to the discovery of a significant water leak.
The council is working with its leisure provider, Fusion Lifestyle, to have the leak fully assessed and repaired, and bring forward the reopening of Ferry Leisure Centre pool to provide a swimming facility within the city in the meantime.
The leak, of around 35 litres per minute, was discovered once the Hinksey Pool had been filled with water. It is located in underground pipework encased in concrete and so it is not yet possible to assess the scale of repair required. Hence, while work will be carried out as quickly as possible, we are not yet able to provide a timeline for returning the pool to use.
Ferry Leisure Centre's gym reopened on Monday (3 August), with the pool remaining closed until further notice while further assessments were made with Fusion around the possibility of reopening other facilities given the safety and financial constraints caused by COVID-19. Now work will start immediately to reopen the Ferry pool, which will involve full hygiene and safety measures being put in place. It is expected the pool should be available for public use within the next two weeks.
"I know just how disappointing this news will be to keen swimmers and families hoping to cool off in the current heatwave. Unfortunately, the need for essential emergency repairs has been forced on us at the worst possible time, just as the facility was being prepared for reopening. We have instructed Fusion Lifestyle to get Ferry pool open as quickly as possible so that Oxford's swimmers will be able to get back in the water. We will also work flat out to bring Hinksey pool back into service as soon as that is possible."
Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for leisure and parks
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