Wem Pool grand opening

Community group Friends of Wem Pool spent the days between Christmas and New Year making the final touches to the town's pool in Bowens Field, Wem ahead of its grand opening today.

"We have had lots of volunteers in helping with jobs," said chairman of the group Mike Price. "We have been painting, taking the doors down and painting them and a lot of cleaning.

"We've had new carpets fitted in the reception and the changing rooms have been cleaned."

The group was set up in 2006 when the former North Shropshire District Council decided there was no future in the pool and it would be closed.

After protests, fundraisers and help from the Town Council, the group is now taking on the pool as a community run centre with plans to refurbish the changing rooms, improve the gym and other aspects of the site.

Mr Price said: "We have taken a lot of the things that people said in the questionnaire for market research, so people should notice what quite a few things.

"We have introduced an early swim session which starts next week as that is something people said they would like to see.

"We will be trialling that and seeing how popular it is. Things that aren't expensive and just require a bit of work – those are the suggestions we have taken on right away."

But Mr Price said the team is still looking into bigger projects with the view of raising funds to fit a new gym.

Now with a charitable status, the team has appointed a centre manager who will work alongside the Teme Leisure staff who have stepped back from management.

The group are hoping to raise a total of £70,000 for different projects. They considered loans, grants and donations as well as community shares, where local people can invest in the pool for about £50.

The team have brought a new logo, new sports wear and a new manager for day one of the takeover.

But the first big changes might be seen in the changing rooms.

Malcolm Adkins, a member of the community group said: "We are looking at changing it to a village changing room where it is mixed gender and open plan.

"The market research showed that a lot of people thought it needed sorting, along with small things like broken tiles and paintwork.

"This village changing room idea is the most efficient use of space, and of course there are still cubicles.

"We need volunteers to help us with that and anyone who can help out with some work around the pool."

The grand opening was held today (SAT) featuring a free swim session for those who had booked, life guard demonstrations and the official opening by Mayor of Wem Mandy Meakin.

Mr Price said: "It is really exciting. Especially for people who have been involved in the project for years it is exciting to see the official opening."

For more information, visit the pool's Facebook page, Friends of Wem Pool or call (01939) 232460.