Groups asked to take the plunge and run Ellesmere swimming pool
Ellemere's swimming pool, which costs about £80,000 a year to run and is in need of substantial investment, is seeking someone to take over the running of the venue.
Community groups and other organisations are being invited to express an interest in taking over the running of the pool in Ellesmere.
The community pool, which was built more than 40 years ago, sits on the site of Ellesmere Primary School, and is managed and maintained by the school.
School bosses say the pool needs a substantial investment to bring it up to modern day standards, and feel that the money they pay in management and maintenance would be better spent on pupils' education.
Funding that the school receives from central government towards the running of the pool is also being greatly reduced over the next two years, when it will end completely – meaning the school will also have to find additional funds from existing budgets.
As a result it is exploring possible alternative options for the future running of the pool, and is working with Shropshire Council to ask community groups if they would like to take on responsibility.
Andrew Everett, headteacher at Ellesmere Primary School, said: "Unfortunately the pool has seen better days and is now showing its age.
"The money that the school has to pay to manage and maintain the pool is money that we would much rather spend on the education of our pupils – with the reduction and ending of the government's 'joint use' funding making things even harder for us."
Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children's services, and Shropshire Councillor for Ellesmere Urban, said: "The pool was originally built thanks to donations from the local community.
"Therefore, we think it is only right and fair that we ask the local community if they would be willing to take on the running of the pool, freeing up much-needed money that the school could then put into the education of local children."
Further details can be found on the Shropshire Council website.
Ellesmere swimming pool is currently used by pupils from Ellesmere Primary, Criftins Primary and Cockshutt Primary for curriculum-based swimming lessons.
