THE team behind a plan to bring a new swimming pool to Minehead are hoping to raise £1,500 by the end of the year to take the next step in the ambitious project.

The Swimming Pool For Minehead CIC have their own website, have begun consultation, and want to fund a business plan for early next year.

The plan is to raise £4,000 for the business plan, £2,500 of which has generously been donated by Tesco.

The proposal is to build a new 25m pool with six lanes and a learner pool on the site where the Minehead Football Club clubhouse and grandstand currently stands.

The Football Club has already gained planning permission to demolish the grandstand as it looks to build a smaller, more modern facilities on land adjacent.

Elke Winzer from the Swimming Pool For Minehead CIC said: "Everyone in Minehead has been asking for this for years - ever since Aquasplash closed.

"To use a pool designed for adults you have to take a 25 mile trip. We have an older demographic here and they need something more on the doorstep," she said.

Mrs Winzer said the CIC had gained supporting testimonials from Dr Kelham from Porlock and Dunster Surgery and doctors from Harley House in Minehead saying that a new pool would be a valuable commodity to West Somerset as swimming is excellent exercise and would help keep residents healthy and active.

"We are currently examining what else we might be able to put in there – a café is given, we have looked at a gym but want to offer something different for Minehead, ideally something that could act as an attraction," Mrs Winzer said.

"One of the local nurseries is also supporting as many toddlers in West Somerset are not learning to swim at the moment," she said.

The CIC is looking for more volunteers to be part of the project, is hosting various fundraising events, and has signed up as one of the good causes supported by the new Somerset West Lottery.

"We want this to be a community pool and one that residents feel involved in and part of the project," Mrs Winzer said.

"Should we be fortunate to raise the money we will put together a business case and should this prove viable we can look at contacting architects to draw up some plans. We have been visiting other pools and finding out what works well for them," she said.

To find out more go to mineheadswimmingpool.wordpress.com or go to the Minehead Swimming Pool Facebook page.