More than 80 per cent of Keswick residents have given up swimming since the closure of the town’s only public pool, according to a survey.
The Facebook poll, conducted by campaign group Friends of Keswick Leisure, also revealed that one in 10 respondents now swam far less frequently than before, with schoolchildren, non-drivers and the elderly and disabled hit hardest.
The group say the survey is clear evidence of the impact the closure has had on the town, and plan to use it in the next phase of their battle to get the pool reopened.
“It’s clear from this survey that the decision needs to be scrutinised,’’ said organiser Matt Riley.
“The justification given for the unilateral decision to close the pool was because the community as a whole was offered satisfactory alternative swimming provisions – yet 94 per cent of Keswick people surveyed have either stopped swimming completely or reduced it significantly because of an inability to access these other pools.
“As a result, the most vulnerable members of our community are being harmed by lack of access to a local swimming pool, and many school-age children are now not having any swimming lessons at all.
“This is particularly alarming for a community located next to a lake and containing many rivers.”
The pool was closed in June after owners Allerdale Borough Council said it was no longer financially viable to keep it open.
However Friends of Keswick Leisure believes the original inspectors’ report – claiming remedial works costing up to £200,000 would only extend the pool’s operational lifespan by a short period – is flawed.
But a request for an independent survey was turned down last month at a meeting of Allerdale council.
The survey was conducted on the group’s Facebook page during November and received over 160 responses.
Expensive public transport and lack of slots at other pools outside working hours were among the reasons cited by respondents as to why they had stopped swimming.
The group is now considering the possibility of a procedural challenge of the validity of Allerdale’s original decision.
Mr Riley said: “The basis for the claim that Keswick residents would not be adversely impacted by the Keswick pool closure was they had been offered satisfactory alternative provision.
“That alternative provision offered was in Penrith, 17.4 miles away, Workington, 22 miles, Cockermouth, 13 miles, or Maryport, 21.6 miles.”
Supporters of the campaign include Keswick town councillor Steve Harwood, who says the decision to close the pool, with no commitment to replace it, has left local people in limbo.
“We’re looking at many years with no swimming lessons for school age children, lack of access to swimming for the elderly, those with chronic illnesses or recovering from operations, as well as lack of access to a training facility for the many sports clubs in Keswick,” he said.
Cllr Tony Markley, executive member of Allerdale Borough Council with responsibility for leisure services, said the local authority could not continue with the situation whereby the pool was losing £250,000 and proving difficult to maintain – and this was pre Covid-19.
He added that the council would continue working with local people, including the friends group, to develop a plan so they could build the right sporting facilities for the town.
