ANGRY Chard residents have launched a new petition calling on the county council to reveal plans for the future of the town’s swimming pool.

As reported in the News, Cresta Swimming Pool, is managed by 1610 but owned by Somerset County Council (SCC), was forced to close for 16 days for an investigation into problems with air quality at the pool.

Now, a petition has been started by Tracy Slater, and has been backed by Chard town and district councillor Amanda Broom, and has demanded immediate answers from SCC.

A survey undertaken at the end of 2015 estimated that the total repairs required for the pool could cost in excess of £1million.

Cllr Broom said: “We have been working behind the scenes to try to persuade SCC to match fund some monies we have put aside with the aim of keeping the pool running safely, until SCC decide on a long-term strategy.

“We were aiming for this to culminate in a meeting in the new year, one which Sport England had also agreed to attend providing additional support.

“However, it appears yet again, SCC will not be open about their plans for the pool, and will not be meeting with us.

“The closure and condition of the pool has had a direct impact on our local schools. Some are not reaching basic national curriculum levels for children being able to swim.

“SCC should come to the table with credible proposals and at least agree to match fund any money offered by SSDC to keep the pool open.”

The petition states: “The continual closures of the pool are threatening our children’s ability to learn to swim – as well as the health and wellbeing of many residents. We ask that Somerset County Council publicly tell us the plans for the pool’s viability and that all councils will take action to ensure the viability of a swimming pool in Chard.”

Cllr Broom added: “The worst part is not being told of any plans; we very nearly lost the match funding that Sport England gave for the AGP (Artificial Grass Pitch) early last year due to SCC procrastination.

“This scenario is now rearing its head again with similar issues over proposed match funding for the Sports Hall sited at Holyrood Academy.

“If SCC’s intentions are to withdraw from the pool then they should be upfront. I will aiming to be deliver the petition to SCC, along with residents, in the spring.”

Martin Brook, principal of Holyrood Academy which is on the same site as the pool, said: “We believe it is vitally important for our students to balance the increasing academic demands that they face at Holyrood with an extensive range of wider curricular opportunities.

“It has been disappointing to observe that (over the last three years) there has been a notable lack of investment in community sport and leisure from 1610 and Somerset County Council on the Holyrood site.”

“We are meeting with Somerset County Council later this month and hopefully this will develop our relationship further as we look to increase sporting opportunities for Holyrood students and the wider local community.”

For more information on the petition, contact Tracy Slater at mail@alatra.plus.com or on 07834 404962.

A spokesman for SCC said: “We understand local councillors and Holyrood Academy’s concerns about the future of Cresta pool in Chard and the importance of the pool to the local community.

“Somerset County Council has a contract with leisure provider 1610 Ltd to operate the pool until 2019.

“The pool was closed for a few days in late 2016 to allow for some tests to take place and the results indicate that the pool is being run effectively.

“Between now and the end of the contract We are looking at all options for the future of this facility, and a key part of this work will be engagement with local partners including South Somerset District Council, local councillors and the school. ”