Gwynedd Council has taken another major step forward in the process of transferring ownership of Harlech Swimming Pool to a local community group, which is hoped will allow the facility to remain open for local people.
During July 2009, Gwynedd Council’s Board voted to transfer the pool to Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure Ltd. This transfer hinges on the company securing a number of grants and for the last eight months Council officers have been supporting the bid applications.
This week, the community group, supported by the Council, presented a bid for £800,000 from the Big Lottery Fund Community Asset Transfer Programme.
The group will also be bidding for funding from the Gwynedd Council Voluntary Development Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme.
The Leader of Gwynedd Council, Councillor Dyfed Edwards, said:
“The local community are to be congratulated for their commitment and enthusiasm in their efforts to secure a sustainable future for Harlech Swimming Pool.
“I promised the group that we as a Council would back them all the way if they could produce a viable business plan which would allow the transfer of the pool to a community group. They have succeeded in doing this and I sincerely hope that they will now attract the necessary funding from the various sources. They deserve to succeed.”
The local member, Councillor Caerwyn Roberts, said:
“I am delighted that Gwynedd Council has been able to work with the community group to develop an ambitious plan which we very much hope will keep the doors of Harlech Swimming Pool open.
“We must remember how important this pool is to the area, including eight schools in the locality.
“I’m pleased that as a Council we have been able to offer both practical and advisory support and assistance to the company. Not only have we kept the pool open in this interim period until the transfer can be completed and invested in some maintenance work, we have also helped the company to develop its business plan and apply for grant funding.”
Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure Ltd also have plans to make the facility more financially viable by developing a café and a climbing wall and the Council has been able to help in drawing up plans for these developments.
Richard Holland, a director of Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure Ltd, added: “This major community project is the outcome of a tremendous amount of effort by the company working in partnership with the Council for the best part of two years.
“We have done this on the behalf of the community and now hope the community can support us.
“If we are successful in our funding bid we hope to take control of the swimming pool on 1 August 2010.”
