Axminster’s Flamingo Pool has won the Community Swimming Pool of the Year award 2020/21 for the South West of England.
The judges were impressed with the Flamingo Pool’s community ethos as well as cleanliness, helpful staff and excellent service provided to the local community of Axminster and beyond.
A Flamingo pool spokesman said: “Thank you so much to every single one of you who have ever supported us in any way. This award is for you!
“We can’t wait for the restrictions to ease so we can bring all activities back for you once again but in the meantime please come along for a splash at your safe and friendly Community Swimming Pool of the Year.
“The staff at the Flamingo Pool wish to thank all customers, supporters, patrons and the wider community for their on-going support through this difficult period whilst they navigate a way to ensure the future sustainability for this fantastic community facility.”
The pool has been hit hard throughout the enforced UK lockdowns. The privately run self-funded charity, which is at the heart of the local community, has seen financial implications mounting up throughout the last 15 months.
The Flamingo Pool receives no external funding.
This, coupled with dramatically lower visitor numbers during the 10 weeks the Flamingo Pool was open - August 2020 to November 2020 - as well as the mounting costs of being closed and impacts of loss of income has left the pool in more of a desperate situation than after the initial lockdown period. The pool currently is open on restricted hours to compensate for lower numbers and save money where possible during quieter periods.
The facility’s message is to preserve the pool moving into the future and they urge people to come back and support them in any way they can.
The Flamingo Pool was brought to reality by a massive community effort to raise funds following a lottery reversal of decision to fund the project.
Local residents pulled together to ensure that the project became more than just a pipe dream. A steering committee was formed and worked tirelessly to find funding for the 25m pool and the country’s first 6m2 hydrotherapy pool open to the public. It has been at the heart of the community ever since.
The team said: “At the Flamingo Pool, we aim to provide and maintain an eco-friendly public community swimming pool for the benefit of the residents and visitors of Axe Valley by offering the best aquatic activities in a safe and enjoyable environment, a high standard of affordable exercise, fun facilities, teaching programmes, classes and local employment opportunities. By using solar panels and pool covers, we lower our carbon footprint and save money.”
Both pools are disinfected by Ultra-Violet (UV) light so that the level of chlorine in the pools is approximately a third of a normally disinfected pool.
Anyone can come to the Flamingo Pool. Under 8s will need to be accompanied by an adult of 18 or over.
“We welcome any Donations, volunteers to help us to fundraise and sponsorship.”