Assurances have been made for the future of the current Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre following calls for the council to do more to keep the town's swimming pool open.
The Bury St Edmunds Labour group has claimed Abbeycroft Leisure recently came close to having to close the swimming pool at the leisure centre in Beetons Way.
They added that the closure was prevented by a last-minute, one-off grant from West Suffolk Council.
In a question submitted to a full council meeting on Tuesday evening, vice chair of the Bury St Edmunds Labour Party Richard O'Driscoll said: "The Bury St Edmunds swimming pool and others in the district recently came close to closure because of financial pressures faced by Abbeycroft Leisure.
"Closure was averted by a one-off grant paid by the council.
"This has helped the immediate situation but will still result in job losses and rising prices."
Councillor Jo Rayner, West Suffolk Council cabinet member for leisure, heritage and community hubs, refuted some of these claims.
She said that while it is true that the regular grant received by Abbeycroft has reduced to zero from next year, it is as a result of the £5million investment put into the council's leisure estate over the last six years.
"That approach makes sense for residents and for all council tax payers," she added.
Cllr Rayner also said that the intervention has averted job losses by preventing the closure of the pools, albeit temporarily.
Further to this, Mr O'Driscoll added that it costs £27 for a family of four to swim, saying: "Is it not now time for the council to restore a regular annual grant to provide long-term security and to 'make sport for all' a reality by bringing the cost of leisure down?"
Cllr Rayner corrected Mr O'Driscoll, saying that a family swim at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre costs £18.50, not £27.
She also said this price is further reduced for those residents who pay £4 per year for a loyalty card, bringing the cost down to £17.50.
"We must be realistic though," Cllr Rayner added.
"Leisure centres with pools are very expensive to run.
"Costs have increased significantly and I think our residents understand that, and for those who do use the centres will pay a fair and reasonable cost to enjoy that family time and keep active."
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