POOL TO HOLD OPEN EVENING TO EXPLAIN FINANCIAL POSITION

Following last month’s announcement that Settle Area Swimming Pool was facing a serious financial crisis the pool trustees have taken a range of measures to help alleviate the situation. These include: intensifying efforts to obtain public funding; cutting costs; and putting in place plans to increase use of the pool and the related fitSpace area.

The trustees have been heartened by the positive response from the public - individuals and local businesses. This has included at least one substantial donation as well as offers of help and suggestions on ways to raise money and reduce costs.

Many of those responding have asked for further details on issues such as the measures being taken; the causes of the financial problems; and how they can help. In order to provide an opportunity to deal with these queries and to give pool users and supporters the chance to talk to trustees in more detail an open evening is to be held. This will take place on WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24 AT THE POOL STARTING AT 7PM.

In the meantime it should be noted that the principal cause of the month on month losses now being incurred is the tenfold increase in gas prices over the past year from 2p per unit to more than 20p.Prices are expected to fall in the coming months, but this alone will not be enough to put the pool’s finances back on an even keel.

In other developments, representations have been made to North Yorkshire Council and Sport England; two of the trustees have held a positive meeting with Julian Smith MP; and income from the charity shops has risen with the opening of the new pop up shop.

Further measures are being taken to encourage pool use and a new membership scheme has been set up to benefit regular users. Supporters are reminded that donations to the pool can be made both on a regular and one-off basis through the pool website.