TENBURY Swimming Pool has secured financial support from Malvern Hills District Council that has given it confidence in the future.

After a disastrous last 12 months because of Covid-19 the community owned pool and leisure centre has secured £130,000 over the next two years from Malvern Hills District Council.

The pool has undergone a major refurbishment that was completed last year at a cost of about £400,000 with some of the money coming from trustees who will need to be paid back.

Last year the trustees had hoped to raise £30,000 from local events and sponsorship but this plan was wrecked by the virus.

Jane Jenner, one of the trustees, said that a ‘Sponsor a Locker’ initiative had to be put on hold along with a plan to ask local businesses to support the pool.

“First there was the flood and then the coronavirus and things were so tough for businesses that we just did not feel that we could ask,” said Mrs Jenner.

All being well the pool hopes to be able to reopen in April although there will have to be restrictions with swimming limited to 45-minute blocks and a need to book.

After each session there will need to be cleaning before the next swimmers can take to the water.

It is planned that when it does reopen the facilities available and clubs for people to join will be extended.

There is also an ambition that at some point in the future it will be possible to start opening again on Sundays.

One of the reasons why Sunday opening has had to be put on hold is because Freedom Leisure, who operate the pool, have had problems recruiting staff.

The virus restrictions has also made training difficult.

Activities such as sitting exercise, pilates, yoga, zumba, nap time, yoga with support from Action for Children, swimming for target groups such as elderly residents and those in care homes are amongst the ideas that are being considered.

It is intended that there will be a public consultation after the lockdown is over so people in Tenbury and the surrounding area can give their ideas.

The Tenbury Swimming Pool dates back to the 1960’s.

It was built for the community and is not a council facility as many people still believe although Malvern Hills District Council do provide an annual grant.

There have been concerns about this because of the pressures on local authority funding.

Responsibility for the upkeep of the building and major items like the boiler, heat exchanger and chlorination sits with the trustees.

Day-to-day running of the facility that also includes a gym is undertaken on behalf of the trustees on a contract basis by Freedom Leisure.

It is hoped that fundraising can begin again this year as there is a lot of catching up to do but it is hoped that more people will use the pool.