Volunteers raising £500k to reopen community pool

The outdoor pool usually opens seasonally from May to September

Volunteers say they are determined to raise £500,000 to reopen a community swimming pool.

The Billinghay and District Community Pool, in Lincolnshire, has had to close because it is in need of vital repairs.

Emily Dixon, the vice-chairwoman of the pool, said it had not been an easy decision to make and "there was many a tear round the table".

She hoped money could be raised to "modernise" the venue and "bring it to today's standards".

The heated pool was built in 1972 by villagers from Billinghay and usually opens from May to September each year.

Ms Dixon said the condition of the pool had deteriorated and would need new concrete.

"The tiles are falling off, there are sharp edges and handrails are also coming off," she said.

"It's not something we would want to have the community in."

'Patchwork repairs'

Ms Dixon said she believed it was time to "modernise" the venue.

"We have to put a stop to patchwork and bring it up to today's standards and make sure it lasts."

Volunteers hope to reopen the venue in 2027 if fundraising Is successful.

"We are campaigning so hard, we have poured our hearts and souls into this," Ms Dixon said.

"We don't want to give up and we don't want to shut it forever."

The group was "still in the process" of collating quotes to have a final figure of repairs.

"The lowest figure was about £500,000," Ms Dixon said.

The team would be applying for grants to tackle costs.

"We don't want the pool to end, we want generations upon generations to be able to use the facility," she added.

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