HOPES that Minehead will finally get a new swimming pool have been given a boost with pledges of support for the scheme from the public and local politicians.

A Facebook group called ‘A Swimming Pool for Minehead’ has almost 500 members pledging their support.

And now Minehead town councillor Marcus Kravis has also pledged to ringfence £400,000 of the council’s reserves towards a pool.

However, this depends on his party, the LibDems, securing a majority on the authority.

It also depends on the money still being in the Council’s reserves in May next year.

Residents are calling for a community- funded and run pool, similar to the one in Wiveliscombe.

Cllr Kravis said: “It was obvious in surveys done during last year’s county council campaign that the people of Minehead want and need a local swimming pool.

“Over the last few months, I and fellow Liberal Democrats have been considering how this project can be moved forward and have decided that if we are the majority on the town council, we’ll ringfence that money for two years.”

He added that there had been much debate since the closure of the Aquasplash Pool in Seaward Way in 2009.

But he said it was time to move forward and find a way to give the town a swimming pool.

“If this money from the town council can be secured, it will go a long way to helping this along and will also mean we can then bid for money from other groups such as Sports England.

“I hope that West Somerset Council will also be able to support and contribute to such a project,” he added.

Cllr Justine Baker, LibDem parliamentary candidate for West Somerset, said it was tragic that Minehead didn’t have a pool.

She said: “The idea of a community pool run by the community for the community can only be commended.

“The fact that Minehead does not have a community pool is shameful, and although there is often criticism of party politics at a town council level, this is exactly where it can do some good.

“For a seaside resort that has just celebrated its long maritime history, it is even more tragic that there isn’t an open public swimming pool for people to actually learn to swim or to swim for fitness.”

  • THERE will be a meeting regarding a community pool, check your County Gazette in coming weeks for Minehead’ for more information.
  • DO YOU think a community run pool is a viable idea in Minehead? Send your views to danielle.morris@nqsw.co.uk or comment below.