last ditch plea to save pool
CAMPAIGNERS have written an open letter to Mayor Gordon Oliver pleading for the future of Shoalstone pool to be secured.
The Friends of Shoalstone Pool were supposed to meet with Torbay Council last week to discuss the pool's future. But the meeting was cancelled by the council just days before.
It is understood a private group may have expressed an interest in the pool but their identity remains a secret.
The Friends claim no money has been allocated by Torbay Council in the 2013 budget for the pool despite the strong support and fight to keep it open this year.
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And they say they are concerned the council is meeting with others to discuss the pool's future when they asked more than a month ago to be put in touch with any interested parties.
They have now sent a letter to Mayor Gordon Oliver to ask for a clear indication of his intentions for the 'iconic, under-valued and under-marketed tourist attraction' .
Chairman of the Friends group Mark Portwood said they were happy to work with anybody to keep the pool open but said the council needed to be straight with them.
"The Friends of Shoalstone Pool are keen to secure the future of the pool and to continue our discussions with Torbay Council, and indeed with any other interested party, as to how best this can be achieved," he said.
"It seems underhand to have a meeting with another group about the pool. If anything it would be better if ourselves, the other group and the council sat around the table and can speak together.
"The thing is Shoalstone costs such a pittance to run compared to indoor pools. I think Plainmoor received £400,000 last year and Shoalstone costs just £30,000 a year and that is with the lifeguards. It is the only place in Brixham to swim safely apart from the Breakwater. It doesn't make any sense why they don't want to keep it.
"We will help the council as we have done over the last eight or nine years but we want them to continue funding it because it costs so little to run and saltwater pools are on the up."
The Friends group now intend to seek registered charity status in order to more effectively raise funds and preserve the future of the pool.
Mr Portwood added: "We are prepared to continue to work with Torbay Council and with the local community to maintain and preserve this important attraction, but we cannot do this on our own, as we are a voluntary group. The pool is at the hub of the community in Brixham and it is a historic and iconic feature.
"Shoalstone Pool serves the entire Torbay area and beyond, and we believe the council has a duty and an obligation to preserve it and to ensure its future."
Mayor Oliver said he had not yet received any letter from the Friends group.
He said: "I am waiting for the two groups who are competing to run the pool and the area to meet. When they have and had constructive discussions we can move forward. We have been waiting six weeks for this meeting so they can talk to us as a group and we can work together. I am looking forward to that but it hasn't happened so far. I am anxious for that to happen and we need to know so we can move things on. Both groups would complement each other and have much to offer the people of Brixham."
A spokesman for the Friends pointed out they are unable to meet with the other interested parties as Torbay Council has not yet told them who they are.
She said: "At the end of a meeting in September we were promised by the council we would be put in touch with other interested parties. They now say they need to meet with them first to see if they are happy, so they are being completely disingenuous."
A Torbay Council spokesman said: "The Friends Group have approached the council regarding funding for next year and we are considering their request as part of the current budget setting process."
Comments
by abcxyz
Sunday, November 04 2012, 5:40PM
“Treleavens's right it's either investment or lose it”
by Treleaven1
Sunday, November 04 2012, 11:49AM
“Let's be honest, nothing much has been done to the pool for years, either by the council or the Friends of Shoalstone. It still has that large expanse of concrete which must be most uncomfortable for sunbathing (why no sun-loungers for hire?) and that naff, dated kiosk selling such delights as instant coffee and crisps.
Shoalstone Pool and its surrounding area could be an absolute gem, one of the best attractions in Torbay but, there's always a but, it needs investment and that's not going to come from either of the two councils of the Friends of Shoalstone but without doubt there will be companies who would be falling over themselves to invest if they were allowed to do something with it. This place is crying out for someone to take it upmarket. Boutique hotel and top class restaurant with the proviso that the public has access to the pool. It's a winner.”
by priceyj09
Sunday, November 04 2012, 7:37AM
“When the odds stacked in favour of Torquay two wrongs make a wrong.”
by obserever
Sunday, November 04 2012, 12:53AM
“By no means do I approve of the purchase of oversized pineapples or the subsidy of giant balloons but two wrongs do not make a right and I wonder how much the ordinary taxpayer in Torbay is expected to contribute towards somebodys swim in a pool ?”
by obserever
Sunday, November 04 2012, 12:48AM
“How many individuals use the pool each year are there ant figures ?”
by priceyj09
Saturday, November 03 2012, 5:08PM
“Brixham councillors must be very shortsighted. Torquay are taking us for succours and Brixham Council are falling for it. We subsides the Riviera Centre which has never been in the black and should be disposed of, we subsided the balloon rent losses, we buy a pineapple tree for £7000 again for Torquay, and what will it finally cost over the 3 years for care and attention? We also helped pay for big wheel in Torquay no doubt. We get the loss makers heaped onto Brixham Taxpayers who have already by virtue of the council tax paid for the upkeep of the Town Hall and Shoalstone Pool. Why don't we get the revenue from the Fish Market for Brixham, that would help to pay for the pool and Town Hall instead of Torquay ripping off the profits.”
by Cruey
Saturday, November 03 2012, 4:06PM
“Oh now if this was in Torquay you may have stood a chance.....Mr Royal Yacht Club Mayor does not give a toss about Paignton or Brixham .. the man is an absolute disgrace..... and I agree over the waste of money on the pinapple ........ .big rocks and a pinapple on the top .......... what a flippin joke ........looks soooooooooooooooo stupid”
by Orientsteve
Friday, November 02 2012, 4:45PM
“Can the council please explain how it can afford £20,000 for an overgrown pineapple on a roundabout that will be demolished in 3 years time, but cannot guarntee funding for a pool which is used by many people, residents and visitors alike?”
by arf2012
Thursday, November 01 2012, 2:07PM
“Of course there's no money for the wonderful Shoalstone Pool; all the councils money has been spent on oversized pineapples in Torquay!!!”