Southern authorities called on to secure replacement pool

All local authorities in the south of the Island are being asked to produce a plan to secure a replacement public swimming pool in the area.

The current one, located in the grounds of Castle Rushen High School, is approaching the end of its life.

Despite the Department of Education, Sport and Culture hoping to begin work on a new high school in Castletown in 2024; there has been nothing mentioned about a replacement pool.

Commissioners in the town are now considering how to ensure the facility isn’t lost.

Jeremy Ludford-Brooks, who is a member of the board, says "no provision has been made within [government’s] budget to provide for a replacement southern authorities community swimming pool."

He’s hoping to meet with neighbouring commissioners in the first quarter of next year to determine a joined-up approach.

Mr Ludford-Brooks wants the funding to coincide with the building of the new school, which is going on the existing Castle Rushen site.

He’s put down a motion to go before Castletown Commissioners on Monday.

This comes following comments from the chairman, David Parnell, who confirmed he was part of plans to build a commercial pool at the nearby King William’s College.

Earlier this month, Mr Parnell said: "[The project] is very much alive.

"We’ve been having very useful dialogue with planning and it’s all been good."

Proposals for that pool, which would be part of a multi-million pound sports complex, were initially suggested 12 months ago but were stalled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Southern Swimming Pool board has previously objected to those plans, raising concerns about the demand for two swimming pools in the area.