In a determined bid to stay afloat following the unexpected closure of Folkestone Sports Centre, the Folkestone Swimming Club is resolute in its mission to keep its members active and united, despite the daunting challenge of being left without a home pool.
The club, which has been a cornerstone of the community for over half a century, was abruptly displaced in late July when the Folkestone Sports Centre Trust announced it could no longer afford to operate due to skyrocketing costs. The closure not only left the swimming club without a venue but also resulted in 144 job losses, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Ian Howes, the club’s chairman for nearly ten years, expressed the gravity of the situation, comparing the club’s current predicament to a football team without a pitch. “A swimming club with no pool is like a football team with no pitch, but a football club can play on a patch of grass, whereas not having a swimming pool makes a huge difference,” Howes stated.
Despite the setback, Howes remains optimistic about the club’s future. “We are exploring various different options,” he explained. “While we won’t all be together swimming at the same time as we have in the previous iterations of the club, we will get all our members swimming again.”
The closure of the Radnor Park Avenue facility has left the club scrambling for alternatives. The nearest available pool, located in Hythe, is significantly smaller and not in ideal condition. “We’ve been offered some sessions at Hythe, but we have to coordinate with our coaching team, who are all volunteers,” Howes noted.
The club has temporarily relocated its training sessions to The Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover, though this is far from an ideal or long-term solution. Howes emphasised the club’s commitment to returning to Folkestone, stating, “It’s important to note that we are not giving up on getting back to our home pool.”
As the community rallies behind the club, more than 8,000 residents have signed a petition urging Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) to save the beloved Folkestone Sports Centre. However, the future of the facility now rests in the hands of the administrators at Opus Restructuring and Insolvency, who were appointed on August 1.
In the midst of this turmoil, many voices are now calling for the reinstatement of the planned swimming pool at Princes Parade, a controversial seafront development that was scrapped last year. The original proposal to replace the aging Hythe Swimming Pool with a modern facility was met with opposition, but in light of recent events, there is renewed pressure on the council to reconsider.
FHDC recently organized a support event for former centre staff, drawing positive feedback from those in attendance. The event, held at the Civic Centre, provided welfare support and information on skills training and employment opportunities.
As the community waits for a resolution, the future of Folkestone Swimming Club remains uncertain, but its spirit remains unbroken. “We need to make sure our athletes are getting the best that we can provide at any time,” Howes affirmed. With the backing of the local community and a renewed call for action, there is hope that the club will soon find a new home and continue its proud legacy.
For many, the closure of the Folkestone Sports Centre has underscored the need for reliable and accessible facilities, with the abandoned Princes Parade project now seen as a potential lifeline.
dThe question remains: will the council heed the growing calls to revive the project, or will Folkestone’s swimmers continue to navigate these troubled waters? Only time will tell.