CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save St Annes pool have been given a glimmer of hope following crunch talks on the future of swimming in Fylde.
The future of the facility is back in the balance after discussions held behind closed doors at Lytham's Lowther Pavilion.
Fylde Council has agreed to work with the YMCA, which already has sports facilities in Lytham and St Annes, to ensure the po
ol remains open until its July 31 closing date.
The pool had been at risk of closing sooner due to falling staff numbers. The authority is also working with the charitable organisation and a group of Fylde businessmen to ensure a long-term future for swimming, with a new pool in Lytham or St Annes, as well as Kirkham.
However, further talks will be needed to see if St Annes pool can be saved until that facility can be built.
Coun Simon Renwick, portfolio holder for tourism and culture, said: "There are no pots of cash – at the moment the pool will close in July.
"If someone comes along we will listen to their suggestion. The YMCA will be providing staff and offering support to management and a long term partnership."
Officials from the Amateur Swimming Association, Sport England, Fylde MP Michael Jack and local headteachers joined in talks.
Mr Jack described them as "very constructive". He said: "I think we have got the best collection of people to maintain public swimming facilities in the borough. We look forward to making more progress in the future."
Fylde deputy mayor Coun Richard Fulford-Brown remains hopeful businesses may be able to provide a solution. He said: "I think it can be resolved. We are a wealthy area and there are people I'm sure who will feel they are in a position to help.
"Hopefully. we can get everything together and mix it in the pot."
Protesters calling for the pool to remain open arrived ahead of the crunch talks. St Annes town councillor Arnold Sumner said: "We are still hopeful a way can be found to save the pool. If it can happen it would be wonderful."
Members of the Friends of Kirkham Baths have also been asked to draw up a business plan for securing their pool's future by placing it into a charitable trust.
The baths were given a 12-month stay of execution last month.
The full article contains 399 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
