Folkestone & Hythe District Council will next week consider a comprehensive funding strategy designed to revitalize local swimming facilities and secure their long-term future.
A key proposal involves a one-off £2.4 million capital grant for The Sports Trust to refurbish the Folkestone Sports Centre. This investment would cover essential repairs to the pool and plant machinery while adding solar panels to improve sustainability. If approved, this grant would replace the council’s previous commitment of a £150,000 annual subsidy for the site.
The council is also evaluating a £6 million proposal within the 2026/27 capital budget to modernize Hythe Pool. Leisure experts have provided three distinct options for the South Road site, ranging from a targeted refurbishment to a complete remodelling of the pool and changing village. While the headline cost is significant, approximately £5.5 million of the expenditure could be offset by developer contributions specifically earmarked for leisure improvements in the district.
Strategic planning for future facilities is also on the agenda, as councillors review a land offer at Martello Lakes. Although provided by developers, experts have advised that the site is not ideal for a major leisure centre due to its limited catchment area. Instead, the council is exploring alternative sports uses for that land while considering the planned Otterpool Park development as a more viable location for a new regional hub.
Councillor Mike Blakemore, Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration, is emphasising the urgency of reopening these facilities to meet the needs of residents within available funding limits.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting begins at 6pm on Tuesday 27 January. The full report to the meeting can be found on the council website where there will also be a link to watch next week’s meeting. Following the meeting, councillors will share their views with the council’s Cabinet.