Dartmouth swimming pool group
THE SIX-DECADE WAIT IS ALMOST OVER FOR AN INDOOR POOL IN DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth and its surrounding villages have received confirmation that construction of a pool will begin in Dartmouth in 2012!
The Trust working to construct a new indoor swimming pool for Dartmouth and district unveiled new signs at the site of the new build announcing that work will begin next year, thanks to the committed support of Devon County Council, South Hams District Council and Dartmouth Town Council – all of whom are thanked on the signs.
This is a huge achievement for the Trust which has been working for many years to make the dream of an indoor pool for Dartmouth and its surrounding villages come true.
Construction is scheduled to begin after the planning process is completed – with a ‘ground breaking’ ceremony planned for the end of next summer.
The first campaign for a covered heated swimming pool began in Dartmouth in 1949. Campaigners did succeed in building an outdoor heated pool in the 1980s – but this is now at the end of its life.
The long years of campaigning will all be worth it when the first swimmers use the pool in 2013 but the Trust is in need of people with managerial and professional skills to bolster the small team of Trustees who have worked so hard to get this far.
It also needs more volunteers to raise funds for specific items of equipment such as life-saving and first aid equipment, a disabled hoist, starting blocks, lane ropes, clocks and digital timers, notice boards and white boards for announcements, teaching aids and special hygiene and pool cleaning equipment.
Chairman of the Dartmouth and District Indoor Pool (DDIP) Trust Sir Geoffrey Newman said he was so proud of the hard work done by everyone involved.
‘This was the best possible Christmas present for us all,’ he said. ‘It has been a long, hard road to reach this point and the work is not over yet, but we are delighted to announce, thanks to the help of our main funders and all our supporters, that work will begin on the build next year.
‘Come forward and be part of a fantastic community project by contacting us on admin@thedip.org.uk or by speaking to any of our Trustees.’
First published March/April 2012 By the Dart.
