Community outdoor pool repaired and ready to reopen

A heated outdoor pool run by volunteers is set to reopen after the community raised £25,000 to fund essential repairs.

Billinghay and District Community Pool in Billinghay, Lincolnshire, closed in March last year when the committee running it said it could not afford to pay for maintenance and repairs.

Debbie Holmes, chair and trustee of the committee that runs the pool, said it was "a special place" and would hopefully be there for many years to come.

The pool has been re-tiled, the railings have been mended and the whole pool area has been made safe for swimmers. It is set to reopen on or before 15 May.

Organisers said the pool would be fully heated by then, but it could open earlier for cold water swimming.

The facility was built in 1972 by villagers from Billinghay and usually opens from May to September each year.

The money for repairs was raised by the community through coffee mornings, bingo events and donations from businesses and other individuals.

There was an open day at the pool on Saturday so people could take a look at the work that has been done.

Samantha Bryant, who is a trustee and treasury secretary of the pool committee, said the money raised had given financial security for the next four to five years.

Further funds need to be raised, but the pool's committee plan to secure those gradually.

Bryant said recent running costs had been "astronomical".

"Oil has been a massive hit. Business rates, chemicals, you name it," she said.

"It all comes with having a pool, so we needed that initial guarantee of £20,000".

Emma Hudson learned to swim at the pool and is now a lifeguard and a member of the committee.

"It's a great thing for the community; a lot of people meet up down here.

"As children, we would finish school straight over here. Every weekend we were here.

"It's so important for people's mental health", she added.

Jo and Paul Doherty had their first date at the pool and were absolutely gutted when it closed.

"They've done a brilliant job to get it this far along and to get it open again - absolutely brilliant.

"It's perfect. I mean where else can you go and swim outdoors? It's brilliant", Jo said.

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