Croydon’s mayor has doubled down on a promise to reopen Purley Pool in the face of concerns about the running costs of the leisure centre.

Before the facility closed down in March 2020, it was making a significant loss.

In the next two months, a report on possible options for reopening the swimming pool is expected to be completed.

The project is set to cost at least £3.4 million which the council said will come from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money which is paid by developers when new homes are built.

At a council meeting on Monday night, shadow cabinet member for communities and culture, Councillor Brigitte Graham, brought up a letter from the Local Government Association and other bodies.

This letter said leisure providers feared they could shut down as energy bills rise.

Cllr Graham said: “Does the mayor really believe that reopening Purley Pool which was already operating at a loss of £150,000 at these uncertain times, especially with the cost of living crisis, is a good use of public money.”

Mayor Jason Perry said reopening the pool was a manifesto pledge of his in May’s mayoral election. 

He said: “You want me to not deliver on the election that I just won? The energy crisis affects our residents, it affects us as a borough and the resources we have.

“I too have written to the secretary of state about energy costs that are going to come on to councils, particularly with swimming pools etcetera. 

"Purley Pool is a key election pledge of this administration. Purley Pool is fully funded and Purley Pool will be reopened by this administration.”

There are six options outlined for the future of the leisure centre in Purley High Street, which include a new floor above the pool to create an 80-station gym which would “cost considerably more” but could improve the long-term viability of the pool.

The other options are to carry out only urgent repairs, refurbishing the centre in its current form, refurbishing and knocking through to the vacant supermarket next door, a new leisure centre on a different site and a redevelopment of the whole site with flats and a new pool.