Call to save 'marvellous' community swimming pool

Christine Petch and Daphne Brown, both 68, regularly attend aqua fit classes at Epworth Swimming Pool

Staff at a community-run swimming pool say it is in a "difficult financial position" and needs more members or funds to continue in its current form.

Epworth Swimming Pool, managed by the South Axholme Community Swimming Pool Association, is facing an increase in utility bills - including annual electricity costs of £45,000.

Manager and trustee Rob Jenkins said the charity was now looking at what options and support was available. He said: "We don't need a short-term fix, we need something that is going to protect us for many years to come."

Regular users Christine Petch and Daphne Brown, both 68, are urging more people to come and use the "marvellous facility".

Rob Jenkins says the pool cannot continue in its current form without more financial help

Mr Jenkins said as an "all-electric building", the charity had tried to be "proactive" by installing 88 solar panels and using a more-efficient ground-source heat pump to power the pool.

But he added that since the site's former fixed tariff came to an end in February, the unit cost of electricity had increased by 52%.

Mr Jenkins also said staffing costs for the site's 18 employees had also risen.

Faced with an uncertain future, Mr Jenkins said he did not want to entertain the thought of the facility closing just yet, but admitted it cannot continue in its current form without more help.

"It's just not something we can let happen [closing]," he said.

"It's something that we've got to really push for now. It's critical.

"It's something we can't maintain at the current pricing structure. We need people to use us and ensure we're here for the long-term."

Epworth Swimming Pool opened in 1996

The pool has been open since 1996 and offers a range of lessons, classes and swim times for all ages.

Data published in June by the national governing body for swimming, Swim England, found that 500 swimming pools have closed since 2010.

It added that 42% of these closures have happened since 2020.

The body also stated that "increasing financial pressures, ageing facilities and rising operational costs" have resulted in "many more pools and leisure centres at the risk of closure."

Mr Jenkins added: "We've always been self-financing, we've been a not-for-profit company. Now, we're finding the financial constraints are getting really difficult.

"If anybody left for any reason or they weren't happy with the facility, come down and give us another visit. Give us a try again. Things have changed over the years."

'Life-changing'

Ms Petch, who has been using the pool for more than 20 years, said: "It's a place to get together, to socialise. The facilities they've got here are marvellous."

Her former school classmate Ms Brown added: "I love this place. There's just something for everybody here.

"I think more people should use it."

John Lewis, 66, started using the pool two years ago, after running started to hurt his back.

"I just wouldn't be loving life as I am. It's been life-changing."

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