Future of Bridgnorth’s only community swimming pool at risk

Council chiefs are now being urged to offer "financial and moral support" to help rescue the Bridgnorth Endowed Leisure Centre’s pool.

The pool has been closed since September after builders uncovered "unforeseen structural issues" while completing an unrelated changing room refurbishment. Repairs will cost £300,000.

Bridgnorth Endowed School took over the centre, including the pool which was built in the 1970s, from Shropshire Council 18 months ago.

The school chairman of governors, Mark Freathy, has written to Chris Edwards, the head of infrastructure and communities at the council, urging it to help meet the cost.

He said: “We are very disappointed that Shropshire Council has not responded more rapidly and positively to the structural problems uncovered during renovation work on the swimming pool changing rooms. Their lack of interest has placed the future of the leisure centre at risk."

In his letter he wrote: “We are well aware of the financial pressures operating on local authorities, schools’ budgets are similarly stretched, but I do not understand how the council feels it can slough off all responsibility for the leisure centre in this manner.

“Nor do I understand how this contributes to the council’s public consultation on a revised ‘indoor leisure strategy’ recently announced, which recommends six hubs including Bridgnorth.

“Without a significant financial contribution from Shropshire Council to remedy the structural problems with the pool’s roof there is a risk that the option of using the leisure centre as a Bridgnorth hub may not be available."

The Department for Education and Sport England have been approached about the crisis and some financial support received from the DfE enabling contractors to start work on the repairs. If more funding is found the swimming pool could reopen to the public in the not too distant future, Mr Freathy said.

Mr Edwards said the council had already "responded in full to the chairman of governors’ letter" and had no further comment at this time.

The first stage of the unrelated £400,000 centre refurbishment, a new gym and indoor cycling studio, is complete and is being used by the school and community.