November 13, 2018 8.48 am This story is over 64 months old

Market Rasen swimming pool petition gets a ‘no’

Market Rasen will not get a swimming pool, despite residents’ demands for one to be built instead of proposed leisure facilites. Members of the Market Rasen Action Group attended the authority’s Full Council meeting on Monday to hand in a petition of more than 2,000 signatures opposing current plans to build a leisure centre without…
An artist's impression of the new dry leisure facility.

Market Rasen will not get a swimming pool, despite residents’ demands for one to be built instead of proposed leisure facilites.

Members of the Market Rasen Action Group attended the authority’s Full Council meeting on Monday to hand in a petition of more than 2,000 signatures opposing current plans to build a leisure centre without a pool.

Plans to build the leisure centre off Gainsborough Road were announced in June, however campaigners argue the planned facility is ‘not wanted and will not be used’.

Recently-elected Rasen town councillor and group secretary June Clark said residents had not been consulted on the plans and had been unaware of the plans to close the nearby De Aston Centre, prior to the announcement in July.

She said: “Residents were understandably very upset that there had been no consultation about the new facility and the fact there was no mention of a swimming pool.

June Clark gives her statement on the residents’ petition.

“Although we agree that dry facilities are needed, a swimming pool is seen as a higher priority.”

She added that residents felt they had been told “we either accepted what was on offer, or we would lose the money all together.”

She also criticised a recent publicity event for the plans saying: “The recent presentation of what Market Rasen is getting, showed no provision for a swimming pool, just a vague ‘well, we could fit one in this space, if necessary.”

Council leader Jeff Summer reiterated a series of previous comments, including that consultation has taken place, that the pool is unsustainable and would require “significant subsidy”

He said the proposed facility will provide a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities.

He said the recent demonstration event showed “significant support” for the proposed development.

He said it was based on the aims of the prosperous communities committee which looks to develop a “cost-neutral” approach to the area’s leisure facilities.

“The leisure facility is a significant investment built on a solid evidence base,” he concluded, moving that the council takes no further action.

Councillors Lesley Rollings and Terry Young spoke in favour of the residents, however others reiterated the council leader’s points.

Councillor Thomas Smith, challenged residents, if they have a way of funding the pool to go to him and said he would take the suggestions to the leader.

Councillors voted for proposals to take no further action on residents’ concerns.

A layout of the new facility showing areas where a pool could be included in the future.

The council says the running costs of a swimming pool on its own would be financially sustainable.

The proposed “dry leisure” facility is part of a £7.8 million leisure investment across the district, with £6.3 million going into the Market Rasen area.

Residents have also launched a campaign to get a swimming pool creating the Market Rasen Swimming Pool Facebook page.

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.