School ready to splash out �50,000 on improvements to its swimming pool

A �50,000 scheme to make Seaton Primary School swimming pool available for community use has been unveiled.

Residents recently voted to use planning gain money – Section 106 cash – to put a roof on the pool for all year use and provide better changing facilities.

This week head teacher Alan Simpson thanked them for their support and said they wanted to make it a real community asset.

He said: “The school has now received a plan for a polycarbonate structure that is within our price range and contains all the elements we would require, including changing rooms and a toilet.

“We now hope to prepare a more detailed business plan for Seaton Town Council to enable them to release the �50,000 that has been set aside for the project.

“We hope that the cover will be built, after gaining planning permission, before the end of the summer.”

Mr Simpson said the new roof would enable the pool to be used throughout the year.

But he added; “Before this can happen, the school is looking to consult with the community to find an affordable way to make the pool available to them.

“To begin with we will be looking for community groups to make block bookings of the pool through our school’s letting procedures. This means that the pool will be available to be booked by someone on behalf of a group - containing up to 24 people maximum - for one hour sessions. The charge made for each booking will cover costs for running the pool - estimated to be between �12 - �20per hour- but not for a lifeguard, which will need to be provided by the group as a term of the booking.

“The cost of the lifeguard would be negotiable and the school will be looking to make a list of names of local lifeguards who would be interested to offer their services.”

Anyone interested in using the pool should write to Mr Simpson or send an e-mail to: admin@seaton-primary.devon.sch.uk