We won't splash out on a pool (From Warrington Guardian)

We won't splash out on a pool

A FEASIBILITY study into proposals for a pool in Middlewich has revealed the borough is over subscribed in swimming provision - although there could be a case for a small pool.

The results were announced at a meeting of Middlewich Town Council on Monday night.

But councillors have criticised the way the study was carried out after discovering Sandbach Boys School was included in "swimming provision for the borough," though members of the public are not able to swim there.

Clr Mike Hunter said: "A company called Strategic Leisure produced the report. It looked at all the facilities we have and need across the borough.

"The part that really affects Middlewich is swimming pool provision. We wanted the town to be looked at in a special case for a pool.

"But the report says that the borough is oversubscribed in pool provision. It says we should have about 500 square metres of swimming water provision and the borough already has 900 square metres.

"They include Sandbach Boys School in this, but I do not think that is right. The school and clubs use the pool. It's not as if a member of the public can walk in and pay £2 for a swim.

"For these reasons they say a pool would be hard to justify. But they do take other points into account."

Clr Hunter explained: "The report predicts big population increases in Middlewich and Sandbach. Middlewich will increase just short of a third on this year's borough population figures between 1991 and 2006.

"They also say the need for a swimming pool is predominately related to the Middlewich and Holmes Chapel communities and, although we would not get a big pool, there are arguments for a 20 by eight metre pool."

He added: "The majority of pools in the borough operate at a loss, but they say, managed properly, it could break even.

"The document clearly states that Middlewich needs a swimming pool. I feel we should get in contact with the leisure amenities department and push them as much as we can to meet the needs of the town."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.