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Pool set to close despite revamp costing £338k

Tony Fisher/BBC A triangle shaped building surrounded by a deserted car park and a closed gate at the entrance.Tony Fisher/BBC
Four years ago Oasis Beach was in such a state of disrepair that people on social media likened it to Chernobyl

Proposals are being put forward to close a public swimming pool, despite having renovations totalling more than £330,000 spent on it.

The decision to revamp the Oasis Beach Pool complex, only to announce its closure, has been described by Liberal Democrat councillors on Bedford Borough Council as "scandalous".

In a report presented to next week's executive the authority proposes closing the complex but retaining the site for leisure facility use.

A spokesperson for Bedford Borough council said the report is for consideration and no final decision had been made.

Tony Fisher/BBC A man with glasses dressed in a suit standing by a road with lots of trees either side of it.Tony Fisher/BBC
The leader of the Liberal Democrats on Bedford Borough Council Henry Vann said to spend £338k is "scandalous"

The Liberal Democrat leader on the council, Henry Vann, said spending more than a third of a million pounds of taxpayers' money on a building which was earmarked for closure was "a complete waste of money".

"Some people think it (Oasis Beach Pool) should be restored and renewed and kept open as is, some people think it should be closed and replaced with something else - but at the moment only the Conservative administration on the council seems to be trying to do both," he said.

The report to the executive said that "commercial operator options" would be explored.

Tony Fisher/BBC A triangle shaped building with a large sign outside which reads "make a splash at Oasis Beach Pool".Tony Fisher/BBC
Bedford Borough Council said no final decision had been made on the future of Oasis Beach Pool.

Conservative councillor Sarah Gallagher, portfolio holder for leisure on Bedford Borough Council, said the options were now stark: "Either do nothing and spend a staggering £900,000 of taxpayers' money every year in revenue support, together with a colossal £7.4m just to bring it up to standard - or to close it altogether."

Ms Gallagher said: "This mess is the direct result of the Lib Dems’ incompetent handling of our community assets, leaving Bedford Borough Council and residents to bear the consequences."

She said she met with staff on Thursday to reassure them the recommendation was to close Oasis, but no decision had been made, and any suggestion otherwise was "pure speculation" by the Lib Dems.

Gillan Kelly, partnership manager for Bedford for Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) who took over management of the site on 1 February, said: "These decisions ultimately lie with Bedford Council, however we will do all we can to support the consultation process."

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