A campaign group is being formed in Keswick to set out an ambitious vision for the future of leisure facilities in the town.
It comes as frustrations mount over the future of the leisure pool which, despite the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, remains closed to the public as it has been since March last year.
Councillor Markus Campbell-Savours, one of Keswick’s three representatives on Allerdale Borough Council, says the pool is costing it £150,000 a year to maintain.
He also revealed that the pool has developed a leak and it is not known where the water is escaping.
“The facility was built in the 1980s with a lifespan of 25 years. It’s now 10 years past that and despite the efforts of the contractor, it is costing the council a small fortune to maintain.
“I understand the latest guidance is that there is not going to be a viable way that they are going to open it. It’s the way the pool is shaped for social distancing and the types of user. The ratio of staff to visitors would just be ridiculous,” said Coun Campbell-Savours.
Now he wants local residents who are passionate about sports and leisure, to join a new group to drawn up a plan for the future.
He added: “Keswick deserves a leisure facility the town can be proud of and can meet the needs of tourists and local people. I believe the council can put together a business case for a leisure centre with a proper swimming pool alongside a leisure facility.
“When Allerdale finally starts the process of developing a business case and planning a new facility, it is vital the community’s needs are not overlooked.”
He said that in addition to the pool being in disrepair, many in the community had not forgiven Allerdale for providing a facility that met the needs of tourists over the local community.
“I am keen to see that history does not repeat itself,” he said.
Coun Campbell-Savours is also interested in meeting residents who have used the current gym and pool facilities and those who travel to use pools outside of Keswick because the current facility fails to meet their needs.
He said that over the last few months, local residents had expressed frustration at the lack of information coming from the council about the ongoing closure and when swimming will resume.
Keswick’s county council representative Tony Lywood is backing Coun Campbell Savours’ campaign.
Coun Lywood said: “It is simply not good enough to close a facility used by locals with no information about when it will re-open or if it ever will reopen.”
A spokesman for Allerdale Borough Council said an update on the pool is expected this week following discussions that are currently taking place.
Any residents interested in joining the campaign group should email [email protected]
