Calls to save Kingsbury swimming pool
KINGSBURY School's headteacher has this week called for support to save the village's swimming pool.
Funding for the pool was withdrawn by Warwickshire County Council in February and the future of the facility still hangs in the balance.
The pool was originally built by Kingsbury Parish Council and opened in 1972, but was immediately transferred to the management of the county, which has met the running costs ever since. It is believed negotiations have been taking place to see whether the pool can be provided with alternative management.
Headteacher Simon Cotton said: "Although the pool is on the school site, it is not operated by us, nor could it be in the current school budgetary environment.
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"However, its value to children of all ages is immeasurable.
"I have no doubt that many reading this article will have children or relatives who have successfully been taught to swim at Kingsbury.
"The closure of the pool would be a significant blow for a community which for 37 years has benefited from this facility, and would otherwise travel some distance to access a similar resource."
Mr Cotton urged pool supporters to lobby county officers in a bid to keep it open.
"At a time when outdoor facilities are improving in the local area for young people; a time when the commitment of all schools to developing the health and well-being of our students is high on the national agenda, a time when widening the number of young people who participate in activities outside of school is promoted, and a time where we are seeking to develop links with our community, a closure of this nature would be a significant step backwards for all concerned.
"The decision to close the pool has not yet been made. Our rallying cry, therefore, before it is too late is: 'Save our pool!'"
A county council spokesman said: "The county council, in partnership with the parish council, took over the management of the pool 10 years ago when the school could no longer afford to keep it open.
"Due to budget pressures, we are now having to look at ways in which we can keep the swimming pool open for the community to continue to enjoy.
"At the moment, we have secured funding to keep it open until March 2010 while discussions take place with parties who have shown an interest in taking over the running of the pool. A report is scheduled to go to Area Committee in November."
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