Questions and answers on the considerations for new swimming facilities
The Borough Council is moving to the next stage in shaping options to build new sustainable health, swim, fitness and community facilities, to promote active lifestyles and wellbeing.
During the first half of 2025, the council has completed initial feasibility work exploring opportunities for investing in and improving leisure facilities, as part of boosting local health and wellbeing.
This work provided more detail on two options:
- Build a new, modern swimming pool at Lynnsport, or an alternative town centre location, to replace St James’ Swimming Pool
- Build a new, modern Oasis Leisure Centre, at or near Hunstanton seafront
After careful consideration, Full Council agreed on 31 July to the further design, survey and financial work needed to produce a business case for a major upgrade of Lynnsport, incorporating a brand new swimming pool to replace St James.
Why do we need this investment?
The council is working to increase physical activity levels in the borough, which are lower than the national average. As part of boosting local health and wellbeing, the council is exploring opportunities for investing in and improving leisure facilities.
St James Swimming Pool, opened in 1975, is coming to the end of its economic life and is increasingly expensive to run, with high energy costs and carbon emissions due to age and inefficient design. It would need significant investment to keep it running in the coming years.
Lynnsport is 34 years old and requires capital investment to modernise and upgrade its facilities. Investing in and rationalising the new facilities at Lynnsport offers a better return on spend, securing the long-term future of the facilities.
Where is the new pool proposed to be located in King’s Lynn and why?
The feasibility study undertaken during the previous project development stage concluded that there were no suitable alternative sites for a swimming pool/leisure facility in King’s Lynn town centre and that relocating St James Swimming Pool to Lynnsport provided the most viable option. Opting to carry out a significant upgrade of St James Swimming Pool has also been discounted as it would lead to the closure of St James for a long period of time, leaving King’s Lynn without a swimming pool. Lynnsport is 34 years old and requires capital investment to modernise and upgrade its facilities. To future proof the building, the works will be completed within this project ensuring that all investments are made at the optimal time to deliver the greatest impact for our residents and customers.
What is happening with investing in the Oasis?
The proposed facility development at Oasis will be considered as part of the comprehensive Hunstanton Master Plan that will be progressing to Cabinet in 2026. The recommendation is that the leisure centre should be considered as part of this, so it becomes an integral part of a wider, more ambitious plan to revitalise the town, and compliments those exciting developments when they are agreed. This plan will also take into consideration findings from a report on the structural integrity and suitability of the promenade and current flood defences. This approach enables a more collaborative and comprehensive planning process and avoids premature commitment of public funds. In the meantime, the council will continue with the planned maintenance programme at the Oasis.
When will there be public consultation on the proposed upgrade to Lynnsport? When do we get to give our thoughts and opinions on the proposed development?
The council is committed to seek the views of local people and key user groups as part of project development. An initial community survey was completed in July/August 2024 to explore what children and adults wanted to see from the borough council physical activity and leisure services that helped shape the proposals. As part of the next stage of project development work for Lynnsport, significant stakeholder and public engagement will be arranged in due course. You will be made aware of opportunities to get involved in the near future.
What criteria was used to assess possible locations for a new pool?
The following criteria was assessed:
- Whether the site would accommodate a small, medium or large pool
- Parking provision on-site or nearby
- If the location was suitable for service/deliver access
- The potential for delivery at pace and the likelihood of an approved planning application
- Council ownership of land/council control/lease arrangement was also considered
What size is the proposed pool and why?
Following advice from Sport England, the proposed pool format at Lynnsport provides an additional 120m2 of much-needed water space. 4 leisure lanes at 20 metres provide an accessible and enjoyable lane swimming experience for all swimmers, meaning the 25m main pool will have increased availability for more experienced and competitive swimmers, as well as additional space and time for community and health programmes. There will also be significantly more water space for our invaluable learn to swim programme.
What other facilities are proposed at Lynnsport?
- 140-station fitness room, with state of the art accessible fitness equipment, and Health & Wellbeing areas
- Accessible and inviting main foyer with cafe provision. Serving a variety of fresh and healthy snacks and drinks, with large viewing area overlooking the main activity spaces. This area will be at the centre of the facility and gives it a true community hub feeling.
- Activity fun zone. Available for younger users to introduce them to activity and health at a young age. This could include soft play, party facilities, multi activity areas, and games zone.
- 2 multi-use studios and a group cycle studio, providing up to 100 classes per week, and having a varied programme from gentle exercise and rehabilitation, to high energy fitness classes and sport specific training, which will be suitable for all of our current and future customers.
- Multi-use community room – for use by our health & wellbeing partners, and the wider community for meetings, training, activity sessions, assessment space, drop in surgeries, and much more.
- Changing room revisions and additions – significantly increasing accessibility and provision for all users to improve the experience.
- Efficient and greener mechanical infrastructure across the site – This will drive down our carbon footprint and help us towards the Councils objective of reducing its carbon footprint.
- Refurbished sports hall and gymnastics space, to maintain the high quality of these facilities, and be suitable for future development needs.
All other existing facilities on site currently at Lynnsport – e.g. Bowls, Sports hall activities, gymnastics, climbing, squash, etc – will continue to run albeit some with adjusted capacity as assessed by future demand provided by Sport England.
Further specifics of the facility mix for the leisure offer as well as the new swimming pool will be developed following engagement with clubs, users and stakeholders.
What are the timescales for delivery?
Project development will be phased, follow the RIBA stages. The next stage for Lynnsport is to undertake more detailed analysis work to progress the project to RIBA Stage 3, to help councillors make an informed decision on whether to proceed with this significant investment. This will include the further design, survey and financial work needed to produce a business case, alongside engagement with key stakeholders and the wider community. A further report at the end of RIBA stage 3 for Lynnsport is scheduled to be bought forward in December 2025 for consideration by councillors.
If this upgrade proceeds, will the facilities/gym be shut during the changes?
While we will be striving for minimal impact, it's inevitable that some temporary and unavoidable disruption will be expected during such a significant development. We will give advanced notice of any impact to users so people can make alternative arrangements. Where possible, we will endeavour to provide alternative facilities and solutions to any disruption.
Will Lynnsport be renamed and what will happen to the St James site?
There are no immediate plans to rename Lynnsport. The existing site for St James Swimming Pool is a council asset and will be considered within the council’s Asset Management Strategy, no decisions have been made.
Why not invest in Downham Market too?
The pool at Downham Market Sports Centre opened in 1993. While it will need future investment, it is operating well with no significant issues at the present time. St James Swimming Pool, opened in 1975, and Oasis Leisure Centre, opened in 1984, are the borough’s oldest leisure facilities. An initial assessment undertaken by us has concluded they are at the end of their economic lives and increasingly expensive to run. Both have high energy costs and carbon emissions due to their age and inefficient design, and will require significant investment to keep them running in the coming years. Downham Market is not currently a pressing priority compared to St James’ and the Oasis.