Pool bosses 'grateful' subsidies will continue

The Southern Swimming Pool had been under the threat of closure last year

The chief minister has "listened to the voice of the people" by committing to continue subsidies for a community swimming pool, the chairman of the facility's board has said.

In January, the Southern Swimming Pool in Castletown was given a year-long reprieve by the government following the presentation of a "survival plan" by the board, local authority representatives and politicians.

That followed a recommendation by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to close the pool altogether due to shortfall in subsidies for regional facilities.

Laurence Vaughan-Williams said he had now received assurances from Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and Education Minister Daphne Caine that the annual funding of £434,000 would continue until a new pool was built at a nearby school.

The department is currently progressing plans to replace the neighbouring Castle Rushen High School.

The proposal to continue to operate the facility within its existing subvention, alongside increased payments towards its operation through rates from local authorities in the south was accepted for the 2024-25 year by the government.

Mr Vaughan-Williams said he was "very grateful" for the decision to also continue access to minor capital works funding, which would support improvements to lighting, the roof and tiling.

But he acknowledged any "catastrophic failure" within the facility "could mean closure as replacement would be uneconomic".

The assurances meant the pool would "continue to be an active and valuable part of the community, improving the health and wellbeing of the local population", he added.

Daphne Caine (left) and Alfred Cannan (second right) met representatives of the pool on Monday

The "indicative masterplan" for the rebuild of the aging school, set to be complete by 2030, features a six-lane pool and sport hub.

Following the meeting, Ms Caine said it was "important to stress we only have funding for the school" and although a design would be developed for a replacement pool it would "need to be costed".

The assurance of funding has also been welcomed by Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood.

She said January's reprieve had "signalled there was money for a year", but she was "delighted the chief minister has confirmed to the pool board funding will keep going".

It meant relief for pool employees as they now know the "staffing was secure" and school swimming provision can carry on uninterrupted", Dr Haywood said.