Community groups unite to pursue Minehead swimming pool
There's not been one in the area since 2008.
Two community groups in Minehead have joined forces in a bid to bring a new swimming pool to their town.
Minehead has been without a publicly-operated swimming pool since West Somerset Council approved the closure of the Aquasplash facility on Seaward Way in 2008 – with locals currently having to rely on the community-run pool at St. Michael’s Church of England First School or pay to use the Butlin’s facilities on Warren Road.
Plans for a new pool on Seaward Way (on land set aside by Somerset West and Taunton Council before its abolition in April 2023) seemed to be dead in the water when Somerset Council announced in October 2023 that it would not be taking any such proposals forward.
Now Minehead Health and Well-Being (MH&WB) and Minehead Swimming and Leisure (MSL) have united to pursue a new pool on part of the town’s existing recreation ground off Irnham Road.
Bruce Lang, a director of Minehead Health and Well-Being, said: “Our directors have considerable experience in project development, local government, finance, public health, fundraising, leisure, swimming development and education.
“MSL has wide experience in community consultation and structures. We make an ideal partnership.
“There is a lot of work to do, but by working together and combining our local knowledge and expertise, we hope to deliver a project that will benefit all of the local Minehead and west Somerset community.”
The groups’ joint vision entails the construction of a 25-metre pool which is suitable for year-round use, along with a fully-equipped gym.
In addition to providing a safe space for swimming lessons and general recreation, the new pool will be used as a base for the West Somerset GP exercise referral scheme, enabling it to develop its current, very well-subscribed offer.
The groups have agreed to try to raise the costs of the build from a variety of grant funding sources, with a view to the finished facility being run as a community-owned co-operative, rather than being added to Somerset Council’s existing contracts with 1610 Leisure, Everyone Active, Freedom Leisure and Fusion Lifestyle.
The groups have requested Minehead Town Council to formalise its support for the project and earmark land at the recreation ground on Irnham Road for the facility.
Peter Wellstood, founding director of Minehead Swimming & Leisure, said: “We have a lot in common when it comes to our ambitions for the local community, and we view our coming together as a real boost towards finally making the facility a reality.
“MSL values the relevant backgrounds and skills of the MH&WB directors and feels we all have the best chance of being successful by closely collaborating.
“It remains important to us that the facility be community-owned under MSL’s original model.”
Somerset Council has confirmed that the land set aside on Seaward Way remains in its ownership, and that it would support in principle the delivery of a new pool in Minehead without being able to commit funding at this juncture.
A spokesman said: “The land on Seaward Way does belong to Somerset Council, and nothing has been decided on its future use at this point.
“We are aware that a new joint vision of both community groups is to work with Minehead Town Council to develop the proposed scheme at the recreation ground, which is understood to present advantages over the previous concept for a pool on land at Seaward Way. We do not have a preference on location.
“Minehead Health and Well-Being has made contact with our officers to discuss the project, and has outlined its intention to continue to develop the concept with the support of Minehead Town Council.
“No request has been made for Somerset Council to submit or support any specific grant funding bids; however it is understood that the Minehead Pool project team intends to submit bids as and when opportunities arise.”
The Minehead pool project team will shortly be carrying out a community consultation exercise which will inform the business plan for the pool, giving directors more accurate forecasts for user-ship and revenue.