IMPROVEMENTS to Penketh swimming pool are taking place as it sets its sights on a brighter future once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

The plans for the pool, which is owned and run by Penketh Parish Council under the trading name Kingfisher Leisure, is to open to the public for longer – including Sundays – and for 50 weeks of the year.

The site, on Honiton Way, is currently closed along with all other leisure facilities in the country and the parish council is taking the opportunity to carry out essential repairs in preparation for its reopening.

As well as providing extended swimming capacity for residents, it is also hoped the extended hours and weekend opening will generate extra income.

Alongside this idea is the plan to install vending machines for tea/coffee and snacks which could also add to the income per year, while providing some refreshments for those watching or swimming.

The pool currently runs at a £120,000 a year loss, which is subsidised by the parish council and is considered unsustainable in the current climate and ‘has to be addressed’.

The pool’s operation was the subject of a peer review by LiveWire officials who compared it with a similar facility.

The review pointed out that the other pool did not operate at such a loss and it revealed that the parish council was not making best commercial use of the prime slots, therefore a full restructure of the operation must take place.

The parish council says it realises that if the pool can become more economically viable, councillors will not have to increase the parish precept to cover the pool’s costs.

As part of the restructure, Kingfisher Leisure staff are to be consulted on potential changes to their working hours and job roles.

Most of the pool’s employees are currently furloughed under the Government’s job retention scheme.

One of the financial issues that has been identified is that a significant proportion of the prime swimming slots are taken by commercial swimming operations.

It has been suggested it would make more economic sense – and generate more income – if the parish council took over the provision of swimming lessons rather than hiring out the pool to third party businesses.

Parish council chairman Cllr Ray McKay said: “The peer review was clear that we should not be operating the pool at such a significant, subsidised loss and we have to take steps to address that.

“By extending our swim offering to the people of Penketh and instituting our own commercial aspects of swimming provision, we will not only provide a significant and extended benefit to those who want to learn to swim and experienced swimmers alike, we will also be able to go some way to address the £120,000 pa shortfall.

“Obviously, this will have some impact on the commercial operations that currently occupy the best slots but first and foremost we have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Penketh, not to private businesses.”

But Cllr McKay conceded the future plans were likely to have an impact on staff.

He added: “We have no plans for compulsory redundancies, but felt it would be sensible to enquire if anyone did not want to take on new roles or hours then they could opt to take voluntary redundancy.

“Letters have been sent to all members of staff informing them of the restructure of Kingfisher Leisure.

“This is the first step in involving the staff to include them in the plans, ideas and recommendations in the peer review.”