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Final verdict on future of pools
A PLAN to save Kirkham swimming pool has been rubber-stamped by council chiefs – who alo promise St Annes will "open again very soon".
Members of Fylde Council's cabinet last night gave their approval to a proposed solution, which could see the YMCA take over the baths.
The scheme was to go before top bosses at the YMCA today for them to make a final decision, including whether or not to take over St Annes.
But campaigners who have been trying to save the pools for the last two years are sceptical after council leaders claimed both pools had been rescued only for it to emerge a day later that YMCA would only be taking over Kirkham.
When questioned over the ambiguity, Council leader Coun John Coombes told the meeting, held at St Annes United Reformed Church hall, that Kirkham Baths’ future was guaranteed, subject to the YMCA taking the proposal forward, and that he also expected St Annes to re-open shortly.
He said: “This solution does secure the future of Kirkham Baths.
“All we’ve got to do now is go away and dot the i’s and cross the t’s and then it’s down to the private operator.
“We can move forward with the YMCA and see if they are prepared to take it forward and if they are not, we will approach other organisations.
“Negotiations have been going on since March, it's been a long-term effort with organisations such as Rural Splash also involved.”
Coun Coombes added, subject to negotiations, St Annes pool – which closed in July as part of council cut-backs following a budget overspend – would also be opening again “very soon”.
He stressed members of the public needed to make sure numbers using the facility did not drop.
“This is just a stay of execution. We don't want to face the same thing again in 12, 24 or 36 months. It’s use it or lose it,” he said.
But Coun David Eaves questioned whether the pool would actually be saved.
He said: “There seems to be some ambiguity. I’m just concerned people have been saying it’s been saved before it has been.”
After the meeting, Kirkham councillor and pool campaigner Elaine Silverwood said she felt the issue had been “used politically” by the council.
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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