Kingfisher Leisure Centre pool closure - FAQs

The swimming pool at Kingfisher Leisure Centre has now closed. Here, we explain why and what happens next.

Why has Babergh District Council decided to close the pool?

Regrettably, Kingfisher Pool has reached the end of its lifespan. While ongoing repairs and maintenance were intended to keep it open longer, this is no longer viable.

Built around 40 years ago, the pool is now beyond the average 38-year lifespan of a swimming pool (Source: Swim England). A recent report highlighted its deteriorating condition and could not guarantee user safety.

As a result, the pool closed on 17 September 2026. The Council cannot compromise on safety and acted immediately.

We are very sorry to users and staff impacted by this decision.

What were the structural problems discovered?

The structural issues relate to the undercroft (the area below the pool deck). Chlorinated water has been penetrating the undercroft and this has caused the reinforced concrete to deteriorate.

This issue has been monitored, and was part of the problems addressed, when the pool was closed in August 2024 due to damage to the roof. At this time, additional propping was installed to the undercroft area to spread the loads.

Since then, a series of invasive surveys have been undertaken which have shown that the steel reinforcement within the concrete has deteriorated as well as the surface of the concrete which is visibly wet.

What changed to lead to the immediate closure?

On 16 September we received the final report in relation to the southern wall in the undercroft area, including analysis of laboratory test results. This was the most difficult wall to access and the last one to be reported on.

This report showed the highest level of deterioration and the structural engineers were unable to provide a residual life of the wall as a result. Consequently, they could not guarantee its safety moving forward.

The investigations showed that, in effect, the pool would require a rebuild. The age of the plant and machinery means this would also need to be replaced.

Following a review of this report with the consultants, representatives from the Council's Health & Safety team and Abbeycroft – it was agreed by all parties that there was no option but to close the swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi that evening and not re-open.

The rest of the building remains fully operational.

Will the Council commission an independent second opinion before permanently ruling out repair of the existing pool?

A number of different experts have already been involved in the pool surveys, so we already have multiple professional opinions. We also have data from laboratory testing. Further consultants, Alliance Leisure, are also engaged with looking at the future options for the pool, which includes a review of the surveys and laboratory data.

Was there anything else that could've been done to avoid the pool closing?

No. There has been significant investment in repairs and maintenance of the pool in recent years.

Around £400K has been spent since 2024/25 to ensure we could keep it operational. There is £1.7m within the capital programme from 25/26 to 30/31.

But the cost of rebuilding a pool is far beyond this.

Is this related to the issues with the roof which happened two years ago?

No, the damage to the roof was a separate issue and has had no bearing on the decision to close the pool. A temporary solution had been found for the atrium roof and longer-term solutions explored.

Was it safe to swim in the pool before it closed?

There was no imminent risk to swimmers using the pool. The decision to close it was taken after a report outlined its deteriorating condition and which could not guarantee people's safety moving forward.

If you knew the pool was reaching the end of its life, why haven't you planned alternative swimming provision in Sudbury?

We started to explore longer-term options for swimming facilities in Sudbury in 2025, whilst looking to extend the life of the existing pool for as long as possible through ongoing repairs and maintenance.

We commissioned Alliance Leisure to carry out this work, and their report highlighted a range of options - all costing over £10million, and some reaching £28m.

This is a cost few councils can afford, and why Swim England says there has been a net loss of 500 pools since 2010. Many pools are coming to the end of their life, and serious financial pressures faced by local authorities mean they cannot afford to build new facilities.

We have now commissioned Alliance Leisure to update this work. They will put forward the most suitable/deliverable way forward in light of the additional structural surveys, alongside a funding strategy.

We are also starting conversations with funding bodies such as Sport England and Swim England.

Babergh District Council wants to see swimming return to Sudbury as soon as possible.

What alternative provision is being looked at in the meantime?

Our partners Abbeycroft have been working extremely hard to move swimming lessons to alternative locations. For example, within a week of the closure around 100 swimming lessons had been moved to Hadleigh, and all school swimming lessons this term have now been relocated to either Hadleigh or Halstead.

Abbeycroft extended opening hours at the pool in Hadleigh from 6 October, to accommodate additional general swimming sessions and create more capacity. Swimming clubs have been relocated.

They are offering more low impact sessions at Kingfisher Leisure Centre to support people looking for alternatives to swimming. There are additional studio classes such as aerobics, Zumba, and circuits, as well as coffee mornings to support users.

Abbeycroft are continuing to look at swimming and changing room capacity at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure.

Meanwhile, we are exploring the feasibility of a temporary pool.

Babergh District Council officers have also held meetings with Thomas Gainsborough School to discuss how Cornard Swimming Pool may be used in future.

We are looking at options for health suite facilities at Kingfisher. Currently, they cannot be used as access is through the pool hall.

What will happen to the pool space now?

The pool will need to be decommissioned, and we will look at possible future options for use of that space as part of the longer-term options.

Will further information be published regarding the condition of the swimming pool and future plans?

We are committed to transparency and will bring a report to November’s Cabinet meeting, outlining the next steps. A subsequent report will be presented to January’s Cabinet meeting, with Alliance Leisure presenting their updated findings.