Closure-threat open-air pool to remain open until end of month
SHOALSTONE Pool is to remain open until the end of the month.
The open-air seawater Brixham pool will close again for the winter season in October following an extended opening season.
Campaigners in the town have fought hard to see the pool open after Torbay Council threatened to close it down completely because of a lack of funds.
After much lobbying, the authority agreed to keep the pool open for only six weeks during the summer holidays.
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However, following a campaign from locals, Torbay Council — backed by extra cash from Brixham Town Council — decided to keep the pool open for longer.
Mark Portwood, chairman of the Friends of Shoalstone Pool, said: "Once again, Shoalstone has proved to be hugely popular with local residents and visitors alike this summer.
"There have been large numbers of people turning up on fine days, with the pool and the deck crammed with families swimming, sunbathing and enjoying themselves.
"The pool will remain open this year until the end of September, allowing regular users and late season visitors to make full use of it during its regular lifeguarded hours of 9am to 5pm."
Jenny Harriman, vice chairman of the Friends, added: "We must now look towards the future. At a time of exceptionally tight budget controls from central and local government, the Friends are developing a business plan which they will put to Torbay Council before budgets are set in October.
"The pool has come through a very difficult year, but there is huge support locally for it and this has been heart-warming.
"Now is the time for the Friends and local government jointly to build on this support and to promote and develop the opportunities and facilities in order to create a sustainable future for the pool."
She said that the group was in touch with local councillors and would seek to work closely with Torbay Council and Brixham Town Council in developing the business plan.
Torbay and Brixham councillor Mike Morey said: "It's great news that the pool is remaining open until the end of the month.
"What we need to concentrate on is the future. That's our next battle.
"It is a major asset not just to the town but to Torbay and the council cannot wash its hands of it.
"We will look at all the options to keep it open for future years."
Anyone interested in helping in any way is invited to contact the Friends' secretary Suzanne Mieczkowska on 07769 537175 or email smieczk@hotmail.co.uk
Comments
by Dumplinboy
Monday, September 10 2012, 7:58PM
“As a child, many years ago, I spent numerous happy days at Shoalstone - swimming in the pool - fishing from the rocks and putting with my Dad. In those days there were no lifeguards. Everybody took on their own responsibility and looked out for everyone else. Shoalstone is yet another victim of the Health and Safety nerds and of the "compensation culture". A change in the law is necessary such that accidents are accidents unless caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct.”