Southwark Council has taken action to support members of the Canada Water Leisure Centre by offering to freeze gym memberships following the unexpected closure of a brand new swimming pool. The eight-lane, 25-metre pool, which opened as part of the state-of-the-art facility on September 1, 2025, was forced to shut down just six weeks later on October 13 due to a significant maintenance problem.
Maintenance Issues Delay Pool Reopening
The closure occurred after an issue with the Air Handling Unit, which is responsible for regulating air circulation within the pool area. Initial repair work revealed a related fault that requires resolution before the pool can safely reopen. The necessary parts had to be imported from Germany, with delivery estimated to take seven to nine weeks, followed by installation and testing.
Councillor Richard Leeming, Deputy Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sports at Southwark Council, addressed the situation in an official statement. "The closure of the pool at Canada Water Leisure Centre has been a setback for our members and for us," he said. "We understand the disappointment surrounding this, however the health and safety of our residents is our priority."
Impact on Local Swimming Club
The prolonged closure has significantly affected Southwark Aquatics Swimming Club (SASC), a not-for-profit organisation that provides high-level training for competitive swimmers. The club has reported losing approximately £500 per month in revenue and has experienced its lowest turnout for championship competitions in over a decade.
Andy Moore, Chairman of SASC, explained the challenges faced by club members. "Training is only 50% of what you normally do," he noted. "The technique isn't as good as it might be because you don't have as much time to hone it, and stamina isn't as good because you've not been training as intensively."
The club has lost around 10% of its members since the closure, with remaining members struggling to travel to alternative venues located up to seven miles away.
Leisure Centre Background and Features
The Canada Water Leisure Centre opened on September 1 after months of delays from its originally planned spring 2025 opening date. It replaces the Seven Islands Leisure Centre, which had served the community since 1965 and is scheduled for demolition to make way for new council homes.
Despite the pool closure, other facilities at the centre remain operational, including:
- A learner pool with a moveable floor
- A four-court sports hall
- A 'world-class' gym with dedicated functional fitness area
- Three group exercise studios
The leisure centre forms part of the multi-billion-pound Canada Water Masterplan, a joint venture between British Land, AustralianSuper, and Southwark Council spanning 53 acres.
Membership Details and Compensation
A standard membership at Canada Water Leisure Centre costs £43.99 per month, representing an increase from the £31.99 charged at the previous Seven Islands facility. In response to the ongoing disruption, the council has offered affected members the option to freeze their memberships to avoid charges while repairs continue.
"While we are working hard to get the pool open again for public use as soon as possible," Councillor Leeming added, "we have offered members of the leisure centre the option to freeze their membership to ensure that they are not charged while the pool is under repair."
The council has been unable to provide an updated timeline for the pool's reopening, despite earlier estimates suggesting a mid-January return to service. Members and local organisations continue to await further updates as repair work progresses.
