Portsmouth councillor defends controversial £2.5m Pyramids revamp amid backlash

This week Portsmouth City Council announced that it is set to transform the pool at the Pyramids centre, in Southsea, into a new soft play facility as well as convert the plaza gig space into a new state-of-the-art gym.

It was thought the move would future-proof the venue for another 10 years, as it currently runs at a loss of £650,000 a year.

But since the decision the city council's culture boss, Councillor Steve Pitt, has been met with criticism from the public - including 'hateful' messages on social media. And a petition against the plans has been signed by more than 1,600 people.

On Facebook, Cllr Pitt also said that the Pyramids was only meant to have had a 30-year lifespan and is now 30 years old, and that it was not forecast to last much more than another decade.

Speaking to The News Cllr Pitt said: 'Everyone is saying spend the £2.5m on renovating the pool but it would have cost more than that to get it up to standard and it wouldn't address the £650,000 it was losing every year.

'They said we should have consulted. The council could have gone out and carried out a consultation to say do you want to keep the pool, if they said yes there would have been an expectation that we would do that. But in simple terms we can't keep it.

'Nationally swimming is showing a decline of 24 per cent - what we can't do is invest huge amount of money into a building that has 10 years left on it in a declining market.'

It is also planned the existing gym would be converted into studios for classes.

'This is going to improve the health and wellbeing, as well as mental wellbeing, of the city,' Cllr Pitt added.

'Having a five star gym offering for three star prices and all the equipment is an amazing opportunity. And there's the fact this will offer something for children with autism and learning disabilities.'

However, some objectors believe transparency over the decision was needed.

Local resident Nick Sebley, who uses the Pyramids centre said: 'I think the council has misjudged this. The Pyramids fun pool is the only one around for miles, and many people are fond of it, so there was anger at being presented with a done deal, with no consultation whatsoever.

'It’s public money and rightly we want to have a say in how such an iconic building will be used, not told on Facebook by the deputy leader that we’ve already decided to turn it into a giant soft play and it doesn’t matter how many of you object or petition.

'I'd also add that the development was included in the seafront masterplan consultation that doesn’t close until five weeks' time, so it’s an ominous sign as to the integrity of that consultation.'

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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