Last updated 9 May 2024
This dedicated webpage sets out what Fylde Council is doing in exploring all practicable options to support swimming provision in Fylde following the closure of the YMCA Kirkham Rural Splash. Below, you will find a timeline of activity since the closure and the steps being taken to look at all options to support swimming which includes links to relevant committee documents and press releases. This timeline will be updated as the project progresses, helping readers remain informed on the most recent developments.
Current Status
This section offers an overview of our current stage. For a detailed timeline of the Kirkham Pool closure, please refer below.
Expressions of Interest in acquiring and operating Kirkham facility
From Friday 12 April 2024, voluntary and community bodies can submit an Expression of Interest in acquiring and operating the Kirkham swimming facility using the dedicated online form. This submission period will run for six weeks, until Friday 24 May 2024. Applicants that have made an Expression of Interest will be contacted by email when the Expression of Interest period closes and invited to prepare and submit business plans for their proposals to operate Kirkham Pool.
Fylde Council is facilitating the Expression of Interest process with the permission of YMCA Fylde Coast.
A voluntary and community body is defined in the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012.
If you represent a voluntary or community body and are interested in taking on the ownership and operation of Kirkham Pool, it is suggested you look through the Active Lancashire Sport and Leisure Provision Consultation and the Options Appraisal Study for Kirkham Pool in the Supporting Actions below.
During this period the Council’s Community Focus Scrutiny Committee and Executive Committee will be considering reports on the project to support swimming provision. Details of the agendas and reports can be found at the links below once published.
Government funding
Funding may be available from central government departments, local government, and government agencies for voluntary and community groups interested in potentially operating Kirkham pool:
- Lancashire County Council provides a free-to-use Lancashire County Council 4 Community online search tool. Click here to register and find out more.
- Crowdfund Lancashire from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund (LCSF) is an initiative to support culture and sport in Lancashire. Click here to find out more.
- There is a sum of £50,337 within the annual Fylde Council revenue base budget identified as subsidy budget for Kirkham Baths.
- Some of the town/parish councils previously made a contribution to the running of Kirkham Pool when it was operated by the YMCA.
- The Community Ownership Fund is a £150 million fund over 4 years to support community groups across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community. Click here to find out more.
Supporting Actions
Fylde Council has undertaken a range of actions to support continued swimming provision in Fylde. The closure of the YMCA Kirkham pool facility has heightened the need for immediate action, leading to the resolution of the Notice of Motion in October 2023. The council has since taken various steps to support continued swimming provision in the borough. Details of these actions and links to relevant documents can be found below.
To read the options below, please click the + icon to expand the text.
In response to the ongoing challenges faced by the YMCA Fylde Coast St Annes swimming pool, Fylde Council’s Executive Committee on 19 September 2023 approved a one-year additional subsidy payment of £59,189.
A notice of motion was put forward to the Full Council meeting on 2 October 2023. It was resolved that:
“In the corporate and local plan this Council seeks to maintain or encourage public swim provision. I propose that this Council, as a matter of urgency, supports that position and in light of the recent announcement by the YMCA to permanently close Kirkham Baths looks at all practicable options to work with partners and stakeholders to support that provision, and such options to be considered by the External Scrutiny Committee.”
Fylde Council and YMCA Fylde Coast submitted successful applications to both phases of the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund to assist the continued operation of the St Annes swimming facility.
A condition of the funding for both phases was that the pool in question be currently operational. Under this condition, only the St Annes swimming facility would be eligible for support funding.
07/11/2023
The Phase 1 Fund was targeted at swimming facilities facing elevated risk of closure due to increased cost pressures. Read more here.
23/03/2024
The Phase 2 Fund was solely for capital investment to improve the energy efficiency of facilities in the medium to long term. Read more here.
05/12/2023
Fylde Council’s Executive Committee approved the commissioning of Active Lancashire to perform a community-wide consultation initiative aimed at shaping the future of sport and leisure facilities in Fylde.
09/12/2024
The Sport and Leisure Provision Survey launched, inviting those living and working within Fylde to contribute their perspectives on a variety of topics relating to sport and leisure, with a particular focus on swimming opportunities.
05/04/2024
The survey findings and full report of the consultation conducted by Active Lancashire provide a thorough understanding of the challenges and perspectives concerning swimming provision in Fylde. Based on these findings, considerations have been developed to inform and support ongoing efforts to improve swimming provision in the area.
To assist interested parties who are considering submitting an Expression of Interest for the acquisition and operating of Kirkham Pool, the council is presenting potential redevelopment design concepts for the site as a pool. The council has funded the commissioning of architectural drawings, mechanical and electrical design works, and related expenses as part of its resolution to explore all feasible design concepts for swimming provision. This initiative aims to provide interested parties with a potential future vision of the pool, including current costs and feasibility assessments.”
These concepts have been produced to give community groups an idea of the feasibility and costs of different potential designs. They are only guides to help interested parties develop their business plans.
04/01/2024
Consultants were approached to provide quotes for assessing the feasibility and costings of either recommissioning or enhancing the existing Kirkham Pool or constructing a new facility.
25/01/2024
Consultants were appointed to undertake an options appraisal study for Kirkham Pool. This looks at the feasibility and costs of four potential design concepts. They are:
Design Concept 1 – Minimum Level Proposal to re-commission existing facilities at Station Road.
Design Concept 2 – Enhanced Proposal for Part Refurbishment (of the historic elements of the existing pool buildings) and replacement & remodelling of reception and dry facilities to include for gymnasium and café and enhancements to external works all following inclusive, access-for-all principles.
Design Concept 3 – Proposals to maximise opportunities for new wet and dry leisure facilities at the existing site.
Design Concept 4 – A new facility (of a nominal size) on a site to be determined based on price per square foot/metre within a range and with relevant exclusions and caveats relating variables and unknowns.
12/04/2024
Click the links below for the full report and costings.
Kirkham Baths Options Appraisal
YMCA Kirkham Pool Closure Timeline
Below, you will find a timeline of activity since the closure of Kirkham Pool which includes links to relevant committee documents and press releases. This timeline will be updated as the project progresses, helping readers remain informed on the most recent developments.
We are currently at Stage 5 of the timeline below.
