Public survey on future of Parc Eglos Swimming Pool

Parc Eglos Primary School is asking members of the public for their feedback on the future of its swimming pool, which closed in October 2023 due to safety concerns.

Although primarily used by pupils of Parc Eglos, the swimming pool has been used for various other activities and swim schools during holidays and weekends, involving members of the community and children from different schools across Cornwall.

Sue Keith who has been a swimming teacher and primary school teacher for 20 years believes that the swimming pool at Parc Eglos is a ‘vital asset’ to people now and in the future.

She said: “I believe that a vital asset as Parc Eglos pool, should be refurbished and reopened for generations to come.

A survey for members of the public to have their say on the pool's future has now been launched (Image: Swim with Jennie)

“The swimming pool provides not just a fun, healthy and inclusive sporting activity for all ages, but it teaches children, quite literally, skills for life.”

Sue also explained how smaller pools, such as the one at Parc Eglos, are more beneficial for people with special educational needs, autism, and disabilities due to being quieter and less busy.

Jennie Sowden who runs swimming classes in and around Helston including the pool at Parc Eglos shared a post on the Swim with Jennie Facebook page, explaining why she feels the pool should be saved. 

The post reads: "As most people in Helston know, unfortunately Parc Eglos School Swimming Pool closed due to some Health and Safety issues that needed addressing.  

"After surveys, have been completed on the swimming pool building, Parc Eglos School, along with Crofty MAT have issued a survey for the parents, teachers, community users, residents and anyone else who has an interest in swimming at Parc Eglos to complete, to gauge feelings and to see the support that the swimming needs to ensure it’s future of staying open and being able to offer swimming lessons.

"Not only to the school children who attend Parc Eglos School but also the local community children that have private swimming lessons with swim schools that hire the facility. 

"Swimming lessons are paramount to all children, who have not only already learned to swim in a safe environment but will also be available to more generations in years to come. 

A survey has now been launched by the school and Crofty MAT which outlines three main options for the future of the pool.

The survey has three options for members of the public to choose from. These are as follows:  

Option A: Keep and refurbish the pool.

Challenges – Raising funds, construction/maintenance cost, and time and length of project.

Opportunities – Swimming provision on site, community benefit, and legacy.

Option B: Repurpose the space.

Challenges – Raising funds, losing the pool.

Opportunities – Opportunity for a different space, lower maintenance, and construction costs.

Option C: Remove the pool building.

Challenges – Raising funds for demolition, losing the pool and opportunities.

Opportunities – Opportunity for a different space / outdoor area, lower maintenance, and construction costs.

Crofty MAT explained in a post shared on the Parc Eglos website, that if the pool was returned to an appropriate state to allow pupils and members of the public to use it, this could cost over half a million pounds.

A spokesperson from Crofty MAT explained: “The [structural] survey concluded that the investment required to return the swimming pool to an appropriate state, to allow pupils and the public to access the facilities, would be £599,720 (including £50,000 contingency).

“The report was completed by Cunningham Taylor and includes a number of elements costed by experts in the swimming pool field.”

Crofty MAT also explained that due to the budgetary climate, it would be ‘difficult’ for trustees to justify spending £600k from reserves on the swimming pool and an external source would need to be found to begin a rebuilding programme.

Possible external sources include:

• Private Donations: One of the swimming pool community users has already contacted a number of local businesses who have expressed an interest in helping, but to date no firm offers.
• Crowd Funding: This was recently successful for the Cadgwith fishermen, who raised £300k from 8,000 people. But the school noted this fundraising project was publicised nationally after appearing on BBC’s Countryfile.
• Grants including Sports England: Given the proximity of Parc Eglos School to its community pool, the school said it may be difficult to build a compelling bid, adding: "It is also difficult to see how a like for like replacement of the current swimming pool would meet the strict criteria required by a funder like Sports England."

Crofty MAT noted the above fundraising options would require the time and resources of both school and Trust staff and would need to be considered balanced against other school’s priorities.

Members of the public, parents and anyone who uses or has used the pool are now able to choose what they would like to see for the pool’s future by visiting https://parc-eglos.croftymat.org/swimming-pool/.