Southwell
Leisure Centre Trust
Affordable and Accessible Leisure and Health Facilities for All
An Introduction
Southwell Swimming Pool was built in the 1960s, following a groundbreaking crowdfunding initiative by the community to raise £40k - worth £800k in today’s money. At that time, the people involved set up a Trust (now known as Southwell Leisure Centre Trust - SLCT), which is a charity with the express aim of establishment and maintenance of the pool and leisure centre for the public benefit, in particular the inhabitants of Southwell and district
During the next 20 years the leisure centre grew in popularity, with dry side activities being added and run from the Minster School gymnasium and school hall. Squash courts were located in a separate building, near the tennis and netball courts. Membership numbers for dry side activities rose dramatically from 1,700 to 15,000 a year, meaning demand soon began to outgrow the facilities.
A campaign run in 1982 by the then centre manager, Daphne James, along with fundraising through the local Splash Fund, resulted in the pool being refurbished, along with the sports hall and lounge bar being added.
In 2004, the centre again underwent an extensive programme of refurbishment, supported by funding from Newark and Sherwood District Council. A new roof covering the main swimming replaced the original 1965 structure and works included creating meeting rooms, viewing areas, a children’s play area and modernisation of the centre’s front entrance.
Forced closures during the pandemic meant that Southwell Leisure Centre was closed for many months, putting a huge strain on its finances. In October 2021 NSDC signed a lease with SLCT to take over the running and costs of SLC, and they also benefited from the memberships. SLC is managed by Active4Today (the leisure arm of NSDC) under the terms of the lease, with SLCT retaining ownership of the leisure centre and Southwell Town Council some of the surrounding land.
In May 2024, NSDC submitted a request to terminate their lease on Southwell Leisure Centre. The Trust are currently working with NSDC to negotiate the termination of the lease whilst working hard to create a plan to ensure the long-term future of leisure facilities in Southwell.
Southwell Leisure Centre is owned by Southwell Leisure Centre Trust, charity number 522301. Day to day management is carried out by professional staff. Volunteer group Friends of Southwell Leisure Centre support the Leisure Centre, with a smaller group making up the Southwell Leisure Centre Advisory Group.
Friends of
Southwell Leisure Centre
Join Us in Making a Difference
Your support means the world to us and to the future of Southwell Leisure Centre.
Together, we can build a vibrant centre that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit of our community members.
We invite you to join us on this journey and become a founding supporter of the Southwell Leisure Centre Trust.
Southwell Leisure Centre Trustees
When Southwell swimming pool was built in the 1960s a Trust was set up, (now known as Southwell Leisure Centre Trust - SLCT), which is a charity with the express aim of establishment and maintenance of the pool and leisure centre for the public benefit, in particular the inhabitants of Southwell and district.
Southwell Leisure Centre Advisory Group
The trustees have set up an advisory group who have the skills and experience to help make Southwell Leisure Centre a success. The trustees aim to make the Leisure Centre facilities enjoyable for all ages and abilities and will work with this group to do so.
