Harcourt Hill swimming pool to close from September 2024

The University has taken the difficult decision to permanently close its swimming pool, sauna and steam room facilities at Harcourt Hill from 1 September 2024.

As part of its Oxford Campus Vision, the University announced 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. This is not viable.

Due to inflationary increases since the report was commissioned, the cost of implementing this necessary maintenance work would now be significantly higher. 

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

In addition to liaising with groups and organisations which make use of the pools, Brookes Sport is writing to current Brookes Sport members with swimming pool access to provide information on what this means for their membership. 

A set of frequently asked questions has been produced to help answer any questions you might have which we will continue to keep updated. 

If you wish to contact Brookes Sport directly with any questions in relation to your swimming membership or other queries related to the closure, please email swim.comms@brookes.ac.uk.