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Wem Town Council

Shropshire, UK

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Wem Swimming Pool

 Wem Swimming Pool facing closure

 

For the second time in just over two years Wem Town Council is facing up to the threat of losing its Butler Sports Centre Swimming Pool and this after the London Olympics were said to have left a legacy of more people wanting to swim. 

But the Town Councils and pool's current operator, Teme Leisure are actively working hard to find a solution to avoid closue at the end of this year, with the formation of a local community trust one possibility.

Town Councillors were sorry to learn that the current operators of the swimming pool, Teme Leisure, will be unable to continue in 2013 to operate the pool.

The Town Council is considering various options to secure the long term future of the pool. Though a group of local people is already working on a local solution, anyone interested in assisting with the local trust is very welcome to contact the Town Council.

Malcolm Adkins, who chairs the Friends of Wem Swimming Centre, has been working with Friends and Town Councillors to look at ways in which the pool might be improved and managed in the future says that "this gives some exciting possibilities for us to further develop a pool that is genuinely run by the local community."

Town Mayor Councillor Peter Broomhall said "The Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Teme Leisure for operating the pool for the last two years, enabling many local children to learn to swim and to enhance their water skills."

He added "The Town Council believes that a pool for Wem is an essential community facility and we are working hard in an attempt to secure its future."

For its part Teme Leisure said it would regrettably cease direct management of Wem Swimming Pool at the end of December 2012 "due to a change in business focus and for economic reasons."

Its statement added "Teme Leisure would like to express its gratitude to Wem Town Council and the Local Community for their support of the swimming pool during the past two years.

It also welcomed the chance of working with the Town Council to provide a suitable solution for the future of the swimming pool.

 

New Operator Secured

At a Special Meeting of the Town Council held on 8 November 2012 it was resolved to accept the proposal from the Severn Centre Trust Ltd to operate the pool from 1 January 2013 to 31 March 2015 and during this period the Town Council and 'Friends' group form a Working Party to progress plans to operate and develop the pool in the future. For full minutes from this meeting, please see related files below.

 

 

Press release regarding WEM Swimming Pool

 

The Severn Centre Trust, which operates the Severn Centre in Highley,  has been awarded the contract by Wem Town Council to operate its swimming pool from the 1st January 2013. The Severn Centre Trust will run the service on a day to day basis. The buildings still belong to the Council and The Severn Centre Trust will be responsible
for the facilities and all activities that take place in them.

 The current contract will run from the period January 2013 to March 2015; by which time with the support of the Severn Centre Trust, Wem Town Council will be in a stronger position to make strategic decisions about the swimming pools long term future; one option being an independent community run trust.

 “We are delighted to be working with the council in what we hope will be a long term partnership for healthy living in the Wem area,” said Chris Reeves, General Manager of the Severn Centre . “We are confident that, together, we can start to transform services and facilities for the benefit of local residents. A swimming pool is at the heart of the local community and we will be keen to ensure that the facilities continue to focus on the delivery of increased access, participation and healthy lifestyles.”

 Councillor Peter Broomhall, Mayor of Wem said “Wem Town Council is looking forward to working with Severn Centre Trust in the running of Wem Swimming Pool.  We are pleased that the facility will be open after 1st January and managed by Severn Centre Trust for the good of the community I would like to thank Teme Leisure and all the staff at
Wem Swimming Pool for running the pool for the last two years."

 

 

Press release regarding the future operation
of WEM Swimming Pool by Teme Leisure

 

 

The Town Council is very pleased to announce, that following  discussions,  agreement has been reached with Teme Leisure that they will continue to operate Wem Swimming Pool for a further two years on behalf of the Town Council.

 Teme Leisure currently operate Wem Swimming Pool and originally had decided to terminate their contract at the end of December.  However after negotiations with another body had not reached a  conclusion Teme Leisure very kindly agreed to  continue to operate the pool for the Town Council.

 The Mayor welcomed this decision -

 ‘Wem Town Council has had a very harmonious relationship with Teme Leisure during the last two years and Councillors are delighted that Teme Leisure has agreed to continue to operate the pool for a further two years.  During this period it is intended that the Town Council, Teme Leisure and the ‘Friends of Wem Swimming Pool’ will work together to enable a local community group to be set up to run the pool and attract the necessary external funding to refurbish and extend the pool and facilities provided’.

 Lee Hassan, General Manager for Teme Leisure said

 ‘Teme Leisure have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Wem Town Council over the past two and a half years and are delighted to be able to assist at such short notice to enable the pool to remain open.  As a Social Enterprise Teme Leisure believes that the swimming pool in Wem is a vital community asset and I’m delighted that we have been able to agree terms at very short notice with the Town Council that will enable the pool to remain open.’

 The pool will be closed for the first two weeks in January to allow for routine cleaning and painting works.

 

 

 

 

 

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