Groups launch joint effort for community pool

Two community groups are working to try and secure funding for a new public swimming pool in Minehead.

The town, home to the Butlins leisure resort, has not had a public pool since the closure of the Aquasplash facility in 2008 on the grounds it was not cost effective.

Minehead Health and Well-Being (MH&WB) and Minehead Swimming and Leisure (MSL) say they want to develop land off Irham Road to be run as a cooperative.

Both groups say they will raise funding, but no formal bids have been made yet.

Somerset Council said: "Minehead Health and Well-Being has made contact with our officers to discuss the project, and has outlined its intention to continue to develop the concept with the support of Minehead Town Council".

Bruce Lang, a director of Minehead Health and Well-Being, said: "Our directors have considerable experience in project development, local government, finance, public health, fundraising, leisure, swimming development and education.

"MSL has wide experience in community consultation and structures. We make an ideal partnership.

"There is a lot of work to do, but by working together and combining our local knowledge and expertise, we hope to deliver a project that will benefit all of the local Minehead and west Somerset community."

Peter Wellstood, founding director of Minehead Swimming & Leisure, said: "We have a lot in common when it comes to our ambitions for the local community, and we view our coming together as a real boost towards finally making the facility a reality.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the groups' joint vision entails the construction of a 25-metre pool suitable for year-round use, along with a fully-equipped gym.

The pool would also be used as a base for the West Somerset GP exercise referral scheme.

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