Have your say on the designs for Withdean’s new community swimming pool

Plans for a new swimming pool at Withdean Sports Complex have been unveiled and residents are being invited to help shape the design of the exciting new facility.

Earlier this year, ReCreation was appointed to lead a professional team to develop designs for the proposed new community swimming pool. The company has an excellent track record as the leading provider of above-ground pools

With initial design work now complete, members of the team are keen to share the emerging designs and plans with residents and existing centre users to hear the community’s views.

Online survey and drop-in sessions

Today, (2 June) the initial designs and plans for the 5-lane, 25m pool will be unveiled, and an online survey launched on our Your Voice platform so residents can share their views. The survey and plans will be available to comment on until 27 June.

In addition, three drop-in sessions have been organised when members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions. The events will be held on:

• Tuesday 3 June, Westdene Library, 8.30am to 5pm
• Wednesday 11 June, Withdean Sports Complex (main reception), 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm
• Thursday 12 June, Withdean Sports Complex (main reception), 8am to 11am and 3pm to 8pm

Feedback gathered from the drop-in sessions and survey will help to shape the full planning application, which is due to be submitted this summer.

Alongside the submission of the planning application, members of the council's Cabinet will be discussing the plans and budget for the pool at a meeting in July.

If permission is granted, work could start in the early part of 2026.

Incredibly exciting

Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries, said: “It’s incredibly exciting that plans for this much needed new swimming pool at Withdean are about to be unveiled.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the plans and would encourage residents to get along to the drop-in sessions and complete the survey to help us shape this exciting and much needed new facility.

“As a coastal city it’s vital that all our children and young people have the chance to learn to swim at an affordable price, and that we listen to the views of our residents and do everything we can to provide modern, sustainable and affordable sporting facilities for all.”

Plans for the new community swimming pool have been developed in response to the council’s Sports Facilities Investment Plan (SFIP) in a bid to meet the huge demand for more and newer swimming facilities in the city.