Community plans protest at Fleetwood swimming pool as council says centre will not reopen after lockdown

Campaigners from the 'Save Fleetwood Swimming Pool' group will meet outside the YMCA leisure centre on Fleetwood Esplanade at 11am.

The group was set up earlier this month to fight for the pool, which has been closed since March, to be reopened after it was announced that it had missed out on extra funding for leisure facilities.

In November, Wyre Council bosses approved an additional subsidy of £340,165 in 2020/21 for Fylde Coast YMCA to help reopen fitness amenities at Thornton and Garstang once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. But the centres at Fleetwood and Poulton will be kept under monthly review until it is deemed financially viable to reopen them.

Elliott Myers, who has attended the leisure centre for 45 years and runs a swimming club there, said: "On a weekly basis there are about 1,100 kids having activities at the pool that obviously they can no longer take part in. It has been suggested that we use Moor Park, but I do know there's a waiting list and it's pretty full in terms of school swimming lessons.

"It came as a bombshell because we had been in discussions about it reopening in the new year. As one of the main users of the pool I was informed that the YMCA was looking to open the pool at the beginning of January, so it came as a shock with the subsequent announcement that it would be remaining closed.

"We have got more than 3,000 members of the community from all age groups, and all members of the pool. As a community we want to know what we're able to do to actually get it opened and work together with all parties to create a stable future for the pool."

More than 50 people have signed up for Saturday's protest, with a further 115 expressing their interest in attending.

A spokesman for the Save Our Pool group said: "We need as many people to come and join us in a friendly protest. Our children use the swimming pool to learn a skill which they need so much, living by the sea. Our elderly use it to keep fit and help them socialise. Teenagers use it along with adults and children for weight loss and to increase mental ability.

"Get your pens, cards, paints and boards out and let's come together to show Wyre Council what we are made of and how much we love our leisure centre."