Campaigners are due to present a petition with almost 2,000 signatures to civic chiefs in a bid to save an Oxford swimming pool. 

Oxford Brookes University closed the 25-metre swimming pool at its Harcourt Hill campus on September 1. 

The university said the swimming pool, which is around 50 years old, was at an “end-of-life stage” and the maintenance costs of more than £500,000 meant it was "not viable".

The site was open to the local community and used by children from 12 different schools in the Oxford area.

READ MORE: Bayswater Brook: A40 bridge scheme permitted near Oxford

Botley and North Hinksey Parish Council launched a petition to save the facility earlier this year and by Thursday, October 17 it had gained 1,918 signatures. 

They will present it to the full meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council on Wednesday, October 23. Members will then have to decide if any action is required as a result. 

In a letter to the district council, the parish council said: “Botley and North Hinksey Parish Council wish to communicate the distress created in the local community by the recent announcement of the closure of the Harcourt Hill swimming pool facility. 

“This facility is much-loved, much-needed and much-used by our community as well as being used by 12 local schools for essential swimming lessons for children. 

“We urge you to find a way to keep it open for at least the coming year and to work with all those who can help towards a longer-term solution.”

The Harcourt Hill swimming pool The Harcourt Hill swimming pool (Image: Oxford Brookes) The university is set to relocate all its activities in Oxford on to the Headington Campus over the next year.

In a statement, Oxford Brookes University said: "In May 2024 the university announced that it had taken the difficult decision to permanently close its swimming pool at Harcourt Hill from September 1, 2024.

"As part of its Oxford Campus Vision, the university stated in October 2022 it would bring together all Oxford-based activities on the Headington Campus over the coming years.

"The age of the swimming pool, which is already at an end-of-life stage, means that it is now at risk of failing without significant work taking place.

"An independent report has confirmed that maintenance costs of more than half a million pounds are required to allow the swimming pool, which already runs at a significant operating loss, to operate in future years.

"Due to inflationary increases since the report was commissioned, the cost of implementing this necessary maintenance work would now be significantly higher. Unfortunately this is not viable.

"No decisions have been taken on other Brookes Sport facilities located at the University’s Harcourt Hill Campus at this time and they will therefore continue to operate into the 2024/25 academic year.

"Further information and a set of FAQs can be found on our Brookes Sport webpages."