A town swimming pool which was controversially shut three months ago will reopen next weekend – with free swimming offered for all the family.
Wem Swimming Pool has been handed a new lease of life after the town council’s preferred operator Teme Leisure confirmed it had taken over the lease, and will open its doors a week on Saturday for a weekend of free activities. A new feature is a cardio vascular suite.
The news has been welcomed by the town’s civic leaders who were hopeful the pool would be open in time for childrens’ swimming lessons to resume in September.
Wem Mayor, Councillor Mandy Meakin, said: “After the campaigning when I was last mayor in 2005 I was afraid this time we might be losing the pool, so I am extremely pleased that negotiations with Teme Leisure are successfully concluded and that they will be taking over the running of Wem Swimming Pool. I wish them every success and hope that Wemians will give them all their support.”
The pool has been shut since May 9 when Wem Swimming Centre Ltd was declared insolvent.
Glynis Sheppard, of Shrewsbury, who owned Wem Swimming Centre Ltd, had stepped in to save the pool in 2005 when it was facing closure because of district council cuts.
But when she put the operating company up for sale for £65,000 last year to concentrate on her other business interests, the council terminated her lease.
Lee Hassan, general manager at Teme Leisure, told the Chronicle: “Teme Leisure is delighted to be working in partnership with Wem Town Council in respect of re-opening this vital community asset.
“We are looking forward to opening the centre, which now also includes a small cardio vascular fitness suite, on Saturday, August 21.
“We would also like to invite all the community to call in and take a swim or try a mini workout, as the whole weekend’s activities will be free to attend.”
Teme Leisure is a not-for-profit organisation which runs leisure centres at Ludlow, Cleobury Mortimer, Bishop’s Castle, and Church Stretton.
The pool will be open next weekend from 10am to 3pm on both days.
Normal opening times and prices will be posted at www.teme-leisure.co.uk later this week.
by Charlotte Hester