Loss of swimming pool would be a blow to town centre, says councillor
The county town's economy will be dealt a blow if the town's swimming pool moves from its current location, a councillor has warned.
Shropshire Council is looking at moving the loss-making Quarry Pool and selling the land.
Options for a new Shrewsbury swimming pool will be revealed at a meeting of the Severn Loop Local Forum later this month.
Councillor Andrew Bannerman, chairman of the forum, said: "There is strong support for the swimming pool to remain where it is and I have a great deal of sympathy with that point of view.
"It is a town centre facility and it is important not just in terms of ease of access but in terms of the economic contribution to the town centre - people don't just go for a swim but they will do a bit of shopping too.
"If we take that away we will need to know how it is going to be replaced."
Campaigners who want to keep the pool where it is say it had some 300,000 visitors last year.
The results of a survey of nearly10,000 people showed more then 70 per cent of pool users want the pool to stay put.
A report on The Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre has claimed the current site is "costly" due to constant repairs.
Possible new sites include Battlefield and Sundorne.
The cost of a "no-frills" new pool has been calculated at £5.8 million, but the overall cost could be as much as £8 million.
Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury & Atcham, said: "I would like to have a state of the art brand new facility which breaks even.
"The current centre runs on some £400k to £500k loss.
"My priority is that the centre breaks even and provides great swimming facilities for future Salopians."
The forum will meet on October 20 at the Guildhall.
Councillor Bannerman said: "We have a range of really important issues effecting the Severn Loop area and we really need local people to come along to the meeting to have their say.
"The future of swimming provision is of great interest to many people, and this is a chance for people to come along and hear about the current status of this work.
For more information please contact Tom Brettell, Shropshire Council's senior community enablement officer, on (01743) 252482 or 07990 085318.
