http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Pool-faces-closure-cash-battle/article-351570-detail/article.html

Pool faces closure in cash battle

THE plug could soon be pulled on the future of a problem-plagued historic swimming pool.

The outdoor lido at Hendy, which was built by community workers in 1930, had always been a favourite with swimmers coming from far and wide to use the facility until it closed in 2002.

But now, after years of battling to save it, Hendy Pool Committee has been given an ultimatum by Carmarthenshire Council — take on the pool's lease or it will be filled in.

Campaigner Steve Lloyd-Janes said the authority had given the committee and community council until Friday, October 17, to make a decision about the future of the 30m by 12m pool.

He said: "If we do no not respond by this date or agree to lease the pool, the council will fill in the pool the week starting Monday, October 27.

"If we decide to end the campaign then they have promised to develop an astro-turf pitch and splash pool in the park.

"This has been an ongoing issue for 10 years. It is a historic landmark and I would love to see a pool.

"But at the end of the day, we have to be realistic and unless we can find some funding, the campaign will come to an end.

"It will be very emotional if we had to say goodbye. There is a lot of mixed feeling because of its history. It would possibly be an end of an era if it did go."

The pool campaigners have raised £17,000 in a bid to save the pool.

But a council-funded structural survey revealed the only way the lido could re-open would be rebuilding it from scratch — which would cost around £250,000.

Carmarthenshire Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Clive Scourfield said: "The pool has been closed for the past six years.

"We made our position clear that we would not be the lead body on any grant funding.

"We have allowed the pool committee ample time to look for alternative sources of funding.

"Although they have identified quite a few funds, there are no hard and fast offers.

"We have come under pressure from the police to resolve the position because of vandalism around the pool area. There is a health and safety issue as well."

Councillor Scourfield added that the authority had made a commitment to work with the committee to identify funding to redevelop the park.

"Various plans have been drawn up as to how the park will be redeveloped," he said.

"I am extremely keen to see this happen, therefore we need a decision from the pool committee as to whether they will close it.

"The sooner we have a decision to carry on, backfill the pool and do away with the hazard, the sooner we can draw up plans in consultation with the parks committee and draw down funding."

Hendy Pool Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 8.