Decide by November or pool will close

Rural Splash, the voluntary action group formed to prevent Kirkham Swimming Pool being closed issued an ultimatum to Fylde councillors at the public meeting held last night.

Kirkham Community Centre hosted a preview of the action groups' business plan to members of Fylde Borough Council prior to the public meeting last night.  The scheme drawn up by the Friends of Kirkham Baths aims to prevent the planned closure of the borough's last remaining pool by the end of March next year.

Over 200 members of the public listened intently to the comprehensive range of plans that are to be submitted to Fylde Borough Council in order to secure a long term future for the rural amenity. The pool was given a stay of execution by the council until next March in order to give the action group time to put together a rescue plan to save the 94 year old local amenity. The council have already closed St Annes pool in an effort to reduce their £800,000 spend on swimming in the borough.

Rural Splash was formed to action a wide range of feasibility and planning studies and secured volunteer services from a dedicated team of local professionals, all committed to save their important local swimming facility. 

Raymond Green, Chairman of Rural Splash addressed the meeting stating, "Only 25% of Fylde Borough Councillors turned up tonight, so it's up to you the public to make sure you tell your friends and neighbours about tonight and get them to lobby their local councillors"

"Swimming is the only inclusive sporting activity for all ages and in all weather. Kirkham Baths serves a local area of 30,000 people with over 16 schools using the facility each week.

"We were given a reprieve by the council until 31 March 2009 unless we came up with a viable plan. The Rural Splash team of volunteers have worked hard and have dedicated themselves to achieving a robust business plan which is inspirational"

Richard Nulty of Rural Splash presented the financial plans and detailed the need to establish Kirkham & District Swimming Trust as a charity. He added, " it is paramount that a decision is made by the end of November by the council so that we have time to set up the charity status in order to be in a position to adopt the facility at the end of March.

"If the Fylde councillors delay a decision on our request for an annual council subsidy of £130,000 then it may well be too late for us to act."

"We know the public and the parish councils are behind us, we need for the councillors to listen to what the overwhelming majority of council tax payers want.

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Here's what one FYLDElife Forum member posted: "I attended the meeting last night, as a member of Rural Splash action group.   I noted with interest the small numbers of Fylde Borough Councillors.  Simon Renwick Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Tourism, did in fairness attend the preliminary meeting, but left before the hall filled with the public.

There is a general reluctance on the part of FBC to engage with the voters.  OK they'll use this forum, but seem unable to look us in the eyes. 

I thought the public mood was positive towards the plans Rural Splash are advocating.  There is room for development and change, as time progresses.  I urge anyone who is interested to make comments and suggestions.  If this project goes ahead there will be more public consultation.

But key now is actually securing the future.  If March comes and the pool is closed then all the aspirations and wish lists of reseidents will amount to nothing.

Lobby your Fylde Borough Councillors.  Start with John Coombes Leader of the Council and write to Simon Renwick and stress what an important facility the pool is.  Also write to Michael Jack who is till our MP.    Even one letter is better than nothing. 

Please ask everyone you know to write a letter. 

There is a saying I think apt:   "it is better to light a candle than complain about the dark"..

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Last Edited: 08/10/2008