Campaign for swimming pool

A campaign has been launched to build a swimming pool.
SwimmingSwimming
Swimming

Catherine King started the campaign to have an indoor pool in Shefford last week– and already the Facebook page has 1,300 likes. But Central Beds Council says there is not enough demand for a pool.

Catherine said: “Support has been unbelievable; it’s been overwhelming. I’ve not had one negative or dissenting voice.

“I’ve had people pledging to deliver leaflets and help on a committee. Qualified swimming teachers have asked if they can come on board.”

It is important for people to be able to swim with the rivers running through the town, she said.

Catherine believes that the plans for a new housing development on Wag Field present an ideal opportunity for a pool to be built.

She hopes that it could be on the corner of this land, which borders Campton Road and Ampthill Road and that it could be financed using a portion of the developer’s Section 106 money, which will be given to Central Beds Council to improve facilities in the town.

This location would place it adjacent to Shefford Lower School and Robert Bloomfield Academy, making it easily accessible for the schools to use for swimming lessons.

Catherine added: “A lot of the teenagers from Samuel Whitbread Academy could train as lifeguards and then work at the new Center Parcs.”

She has also been contacted by Pamela Cook of Shefford who campaigned for a swimming pool in the late 1990s. Although the original campaign was unsuccessful Pamela has provided Catherine with an extensive portfolio of cuttings and information for her use.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, deputy executive member for sustainable communities, services said: “We’re sorry but we can’t justify a new pool in Shefford.

“We’ve recently done a very in-depth needs analysis using the best methodology from Sport England and there just isn’t enough demand for an additional pool in Shefford.

“We would be happy to discuss the reasons with Ms King and encourage her to get in touch with her local ward councillor or myself but it wouldn’t be affordable or efficient to run.”

Anybody who would like to actively help with the campaign can call Catherine on 01462 814099 or email 
[email protected]

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