Public swimming pools are being closed at an alarming rate by local authorities desperate to save money. Yet the Highworth Recreation Centre is bucking this national trend with a £1.1m refurbishment of its pool now on the starting block. Executive Chair, Phil Baker, says they have raised over a million pounds towards the project; a staggering achievement for a band of volunteer trustees.
“But there is a last minute hitch,” Baker admits. “We’ve been up and down this roller coaster of a project for years now. We’re juggling funds from 10 different sources and despite our many difficulties we’ve managed to keep them all on board. But the crunch time has come. Donors cannot hold offers open indefinitely, no matter how good the cause. So unless we can find £66,000 (that’s the last 6%) by 22nd February, we’ll probably lose our largest single donor, and that would set us back so far that I doubt we could recover. I fear the fallout if we lose the project now.”
Highworth’s mayor, Steve Weisinger, responds: “It would be a tragedy if we lose the project at this late stage. There’s so much at stake for the Rec, the town and for swimming in this country.”
The design for the 25m four-lane tiled pool includes an arch-shaped translucent roof with sides that open on warm days. And a 1m springboard, 3m diving platform, new filtration, ventilation and access for the disabled. It will rival the best facilities within 50 miles for casual swimmers, the aged and disabled, and athletes in training, and will be a centre of excellence for teaching. Elaine Lloyd of the Highworth Amateur Swimming Club says: “We’ve lost so many pools now that it is very difficult to keep youngsters interested in swimming.” Irene Aldridge, speaking for the TDC Swindon Diving Club, adds: “The nearest proper diving pool is an hour’s drive away in Trowbridge with very little public diving available anyway. Where will Britain find top swimmers and divers for the 2012 Olympics if they can’t train in local pools?” Both clubs are working in partnership with the Trust to build and operate the new pool.
The Manager of the Rec, Di Milner, reports that schools are in a desperate situation to satisfy even the basic national curriculum requirement for every 11-year-old to be able to swim 25m. “We’re getting calls from some surprising sources, and I hope we won’t have to disappoint everyone,” she says.
Phil Baker says the trustees are geared up for one final push. He says: “All we need now is to raise the last 6% and secure a critical agreement with the Borough by 22nd February. Then we will have all our ducks in a row and we can order construction to begin. We’re in touch with the key decision-makers and they all know what they need to do to help us over the final hurdle. We call on the community to pull together to make ‘2006 THE YEAR OF THE POOL’. For over thirty years the people of Highworth have wanted a roof over the pool. It is now or never. It grieves me to see the existing pool rotting away. But I believe that together we can achieve it".
The Rec also needs to raise another £20,000 for landscaping and pool accessories such as starting blocks and spectator seats. But this can come later and will not delay construction.
“Every pound will help,” says Baker, “and if individuals gift-aid their donations then we get another 28% free from the tax man.” Donors should call in to the Rec or telephone (01793) 762602.