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Maggie Bickley
Dartmouth Indoor Pool opening
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Richard Carter
Dartmouth Indoor Pool
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Richard Carter
Dartmouth Indoor Pool
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Maggie Bickley
Dartmouth Indoor Pool
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Maggie Bickley
Dartmouth Indoor Pool
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Maggie Bickley
Dartmouth Indoor Pool
On December 3rd, 2016 over two hundred excited people gathered at the Dartmouth Indoor Swimming pool to see the opening ceremony performed by Olympic Gold Medallist, Duncan Goodhew. For some, this was a day they’d been looking forward to for over sixty years.
Several members of the audience remembered putting their sixpence pocket money towards the pool and others remembered collecting paperwaste to raise funds.
Opening procedures, Sir Geoffrey Newman, Chairman of the Pool Trustees, paid tribute to the community and the efforts they had made over the years to achieve an indoor pool. He invited the Chairman Devon County Council – Cllr Andrew Moulding
Chairman SHDC – Cllr Peter Smerdon and His Worship, The Mayor of Dartmouth – Cllr Rob Lyon. to speak. A reoccurring theme in all the speeches, was the benefits that swimming had brought to their lives and that of their families.
After a ceremony which included a jazz band, a humorous poem read by local poet Kevin Pyne, the blessing of the pool by the Rev. Hazlewood and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the 4 lane x 25metre pool with an attached learner pool, officially opened its doors with a demonstration lesson by Duncan. He was joined in the pool by 18 children who were representing all the local schools. It was very obvious that they were having enormous fun. Maddie Jones, a pupil at Kingswear School, said "it was such an honour to be coached by Duncan, I really enjoyed myself". Her brother, Oscar agreed, adding, "I am looking forward to using the pool every week."
Duncan is a very positive image for sport. He explained enthusiastically about the benefits that a pool will bring to Dartmouth, “Devon’s new pool opening is a major opportunity for children to learn to swim and even progress to the Olympics! It is also a really valuable asset to the community offering somewhere to take part in the very best form of exercise, swimming to keep fit and healthy for life”
As added inspiration, he delighted the audience by producing the actual gold medal he won in the Men’s 100 metre breaststroke.
With all the concerns around childhood obesity levels and the amounts of exercise needed for a healthy lifestyle, it is not surprising that many people anticipate that using the pool will be a very pleasant way to raise their exercise levels
Jackie Veale, Trustee and member of the Olympic Swimming team on two occasions, teaches water aerobic classes. She pointed out that swimming is a fantastic exercise for all ages, “People coming into this lovely pool will be able to take part in activities which are non-weight bearing, making it ideal exercise for anyone with mobility problems. The pool is very disabled friendly and there is a hoist to help people in and out of the pool if needed. Dartmouth people are going to get fitter.
"It is amazing that a coastal town like Dartmouth has not had a year round swimming facility where the young people can learn this important skill. Several of the spectators pointed out that one of the major advantages of the new pool, is that it will increase the safety of everyone who works and plays on the River Dart."
Actually raising the funds for the £2.3 m pool has been an uphill struggle. Sir Geoffrey Newman praised the tenacity of the town and the many people who had helped over the years. He thanked Dartmouth Town Council, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council for the financial contributions they have made to the pool. In addition, the Trustees raised over £280000 from local events and from individual donors. Among others, Yvonne Cottam has worked tirelessly running Bingo, fetes, table sales and auctions
In the audience were representatives from Kier Construction. George Hardy, Trustee and project manager, praised the company for delivering the pool on time and budget, "The company had a very professional attitude and we think they have built a pool that will prove very popular with all the townsfolk"
The pool will now be managed on behalf of the Trust by Fusion Lifestyle.
Peter Kay, Fusion Lifestyle’s Chief Executive Officer said: “We operate over 90 diverse sports and leisure facilities across the UK, and it is an honour to be involved in helping to provide a much-needed indoor swimming pool to the Dartmouth community. The opening event marks a major achievement for the Dartmouth & District Indoor Pool Trust, which has worked tirelessly to make swimming an activity easily accessible and open to all in the town and surrounding area.
“We are excited to be working on behalf of the Trust , and as part of the collaboration it will be our role to ensure that the new indoor pool operates and is managed to the highest quality and standards. We look forward to working together, as well as welcoming everyone to the new pool to experience it first-hand."
As an additional benefit to the town, Fusion has already recruited staff from the area Kirsty Taylor, Lifeguard, said "having a pool in the town means I can work and fit in the child care. I am delighted to be part of the team and it is fantastic to have such a great place to work"
The Trustees are now looking forward to seeing swimming and other water activities like water polo, and life saving become a regular part of town life.
