People Power to Keep Pool Open

Rural Splash, the Kirkham and district swimming trust, is set to submit its business plan to Fylde Borough Council in a bid to keep Kirkham Baths open.

The trust will hand in its plans next month for the beleaguered pool, set to be closed by Fylde Council in March 2009.

And there's one thing desperatley needed to make sure the plans work - that Kirkham's residents carry on using the pool as much as possible.

Chairman of Rural Splash Raymond Green said: "Our team has been working very hard behind the scenes and has produced a professional, robust business plan that will reduce overheads and increase income at the Kirkham swimming pool."

Even local Parishes which benefit from the use of the pool have agreed to help with the local rate precept. The Business Plan does, of course, rely on an ongoing subsidy from the Fylde Borough Council which a leading Conservative councillor has indicated the Council would be minded to provide. This is in line with what other Councils throughout Lancashire have agreed to do.

The YMCA has offered to assist the Trust in the running of the pool. The Business Plan will be released to Fylde Life at the same time it is submitted to the council, and members of the public are urged to lobby their councillors and MP Michael Jack to support the business plan.

The Pool at Kirkham provides 30,000 swims per year to children at 15 local schools and is a vital facility within the borough.

Mr Raymond added: "Please support the business plan and use the pool."

The first fundraising function will be a disco to be held at the Community Centre in Kirkham, on Saturday, July 26 at 8pm.

Fylde Borough Council voted to axe St Annes Swimming Pool - in the heart of Fylde's tourism area - in budget cuts this year. Kirkham Baths was given a 12-month reprieve after a last-gasp compromise with local councillors.

Last Edited: 11/07/2008