Canada Water Pool Closes, Costs SASC £500 a Month

Key Points

• The eight-lane 25-metre main pool at Canada Water Leisure Centre in Southwark, South London, opened on September 1, 2025, but closed on October 13, 2025, due to a maintenance issue with the air handling unit.
• Southwark Aquatics Swimming Club (SASC), a not-for-profit club, reports losing roughly £500 a month, with the lowest turnout for county championships in over a decade and a 10% membership drop.​
• SASC, run by volunteers and parents, trains competitive swimmers aged 8-15 who compete at county, regional, and national levels; members now train at venues up to seven miles away, offering just over half their usual programme.​
• The learner pool with a moveable floor remains open, as do the gym and sports areas.
• A statement on the leisure centre’s website indicates that during December installation of replacement parts for the air handling unit, contractors identified an additional related issue requiring resolution before safe reopening; engineers’ confirmation on completion is awaited.​
• Andy Moore, Chairman of SASC, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “[The closure] is a massive step down because competitive swimming and the athletes that compete are recognised as being some of the fittest and healthiest elite athletes in the country. We as a club for many years have competed against other clubs locally. We’ve also competed at county, regional, and national levels. And this year we have the least [amount of] entrants in the county championships that we’ve had for probably over a decade.”​
• Southwark Council posted on X: “The main pool at the Canada Water Leisure Centre has had to be closed due to a maintenance issue. We understand that this may be frustrating for users, especially as the building has only recently opened. The good news is the teaching pool remains open, as do the gym and sports areas. However the main pool may remain closed for some time while we fix the issue. We will keep everyone updated. Thank you for your patience and apologies for the inconvenience once again.”​
• An email to members stated the air handling unit regulating air circulation malfunctioned, requiring replacement parts ordered from overseas.​
• The centre replaced the 60-year-old Seven Islands Leisure Centre, which is set for demolition and redevelopment into council homes; over 5,500 members registered since opening, including 2,000 transfers from Seven Islands.
• Membership costs £43.99 monthly, up from £31.99 at Seven Islands; facilities include a sports court, three exercise studios, and a 150-station gym.​
• The opening followed months of delays, missing the original spring 2025 target.

Canada Water, Southwark (MyLondon) January 28, 2026 – The main swimming pool at South London’s brand new Canada Water Leisure Centre has been closed indefinitely since October 13, 2025, just six weeks after its eagerly anticipated opening, leaving local swimming clubs facing significant financial and operational challenges.​

What Caused the Canada Water Pool Closure?

The closure stems from a fault in the air handling unit, which regulates air circulation in the facility. As detailed in coverage by Southwark News, an email to members confirmed that the unit malfunctioned, necessitating the ordering of replacement parts from overseas, with the pool shut while repairs proceed.​

According to a statement on the council-run Canada Water Leisure Centre’s website,

“During installation of replacement parts for the Air Handling Unit in December, contractors identified an additional, related issue that must be resolved before the pool can safely reopen. We are currently waiting confirmation from our engineers on when this additional work can be completed. As soon as we receive this from our contractors we will share an update.”​

Southwark Council acknowledged the issue publicly on X, stating,

“The main pool at the Canada Water Leisure Centre has had to be closed due to a maintenance issue.”​

When Did Canada Water Leisure Centre Open and Close?

Canada Water Leisure Centre opened its doors on September 1, 2025, after months of delays that pushed back the original spring 2025 target, as reported by Southwark News journalist Liv Facey. The facility replaced the ageing Seven Islands Leisure Centre, operational since 1965, which has now closed for demolition and housing development.

The eight-lane 25-metre pool shut on October 13, 2025, for the aforementioned safety reasons. Meanwhile, the adjacent learner pool with a moveable floor continues to operate normally.

Time Out London noted the seamless transition for members, with all Seven Islands users automatically transferred to the new site, just a two-minute walk away.​

How Is the Closure Impacting Southwark Aquatics Swimming Club?

Southwark Aquatics Swimming Club (SASC) is bearing the brunt of the disruption. Andy Moore, Chairman of SASC, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) as reported in MyLondon, that the club is losing roughly £500 a month due to reduced capacity and turnout.​

SASC has recorded its lowest entries for county championships in over a decade and lost around 10% of members, with remaining swimmers travelling up to seven miles to alternative venues. The club now offers just over half its usual weekly programme.​

Mr Moore emphasised the severity, saying to LDRS:

“[The closure] is a massive step down because competitive swimming and the athletes that compete are recognised as being some of the fittest and healthiest elite athletes in the country. We as a club for many years have competed against other clubs locally. We’ve also competed at county, regional, and national levels. And this year we have the least [amount of] entrants in the county championships that we’ve had for probably over a decade.”​

SASC, managed by volunteers and parents, provides high-level training for competitive swimmers mostly aged 8 to 15, many of whom have succeeded at county, regional, and national competitions.​

What Facilities Remain Open at Canada Water?

While the main pool is closed, other amenities are unaffected. Southwark Council confirmed on X that

“the teaching pool remains open, as do the gym and sports areas.”​

The centre features a four-court sports hall, a gym with 150 stations, three group exercise studios, and the learner pool. Southwark News highlighted these as upgrades over the old Seven Islands site.​

Since opening, the centre has attracted over 5,500 members, including more than 2,000 from the predecessor facility, despite higher fees of £43.99 per month compared to £31.99 previously.​

What Is the Timeline for Reopening the Pool?

No firm reopening date has been set. The leisure centre’s website statement indicates ongoing waits for engineer confirmation post-December works.​

Southwark Council has apologised for the inconvenience and promised updates, noting the main pool

“may remain closed for some time while we fix the issue.”

A Facebook post from Canada Water Leisure Centre mentioned aiming for mid-January 2026, pending installation and testing completion.

Why Was the Opening of Canada Water Delayed Initially?

The project faced repeated setbacks. Southwark News reporter Liv Facey wrote that the centre missed its spring 2025 deadline, with Southwark Council silent on a new timeline amid prior issues like a resolved pool leak.​

Despite challenges, Cllr Evelyn Akoto-Mensah, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, celebrated the September opening as bucking trends of council cuts to leisure services, per Time Out London.​

What Is the Broader Context of the Leisure Centre?

Canada Water Leisure Centre forms part of wider regeneration in the area. It boasts modern features absent at Seven Islands, such as a sports court.​

The old site’s demolition will yield council homes, aligning with housing needs. Membership transfers ensured continuity for users.

How Has Southwark Council Responded?

Southwark Council expressed understanding of frustrations in their X post: “We understand that this may be frustrating for users, especially as this building has only recently opened… Thank you for your patience and apologies for the inconvenience once again.”​

They committed to updates and highlighted operational alternatives.​

What Do Locals and Users Say?

Direct user voices centre on SASC’s plight, with Andy Moore underscoring competitive impacts. Broader membership growth suggests strong initial uptake despite the pool issue.​

The facility’s FAQs confirm automatic lesson and membership transfers, aiding continuity.