In August 2025, following a motion to full Council, the Council agreed to allow time for a community-led solution to be developed to support reopening of the hydrotherapy pool at St Austell Leisure Centre.
Despite the best endeavours by all parties over the last nine months, and the allocation of capital funding from the Council’s budgets, it has not been possible to reach an agreement on the viability, risk and deliverability of the reopening of the facility. As a result, the Council has made the decision that the facility will not be reopened.
The Council acknowledge the benefits of hydrotherapy and are grateful to the community-led group, and particularly to Cllr German, for the commitment they and he have shown in seeking a community-led solution.
Working with GLL, which operates St Austell Leisure Centre, the Council remains committed to delivering leisure facilities that bring wider community health benefits and to improving accessibility to leisure facilities at St Austell, including physical access to the swimming pool.
Statement issued on May 21, 2026