11:30am Saturday 16th January 2010
DEFIANT residents told Wycombe District Council officials they want an outdoor swimming pool on The Rye at a public meeting held over the future of Holywell Mead.
WDC closed the Holywell Mead pool last year to save money and has now launched a public consultation to find out what leisure facility residents would like to see on the site.
About 100 people attended the meeting held at the Trinity United Reformed Church in London Road on Friday, to put forward their suggestions to WDC's head of community services, Elaine Jewell, with an “enhanced outdoor pool” the overwhelming choice.
But residents slammed the council's questionnaire because it does not have an outdoor swimming pool as an option.
Several attendees asked if the council had “deliberately weighted” the consultation in favour of other options.
But Mrs Jewell refuted the claims, saying the council decided to close the pool because it was not financially viable and there would be “no point” listing the “same old facility”.
She added that if residents want an outdoor swimming pool they can write 'exactly what they want' on the consultation form and it “would be considered”.
Residents said the Holywell Mead pool failed because it was “poorly managed and promoted”.
They unanimously agreed that if the pool was “upgraded” and “money generating” facilities were built, it could be successful.
The High Wycombe Society, which organised the meeting, said it would not be in favour of expanding the size of Holywell Mead site to house additional leisure facilities.
But the Environment Centre could be used for additional facilities should it be closed down this year, it was revealed.
One resident told the meeting that he believed most residents would be “happy to accept any money generating additional facility if it means the pool opens.”
'Add-on' leisure facilities suggested by residents at the meeting included a spa and sauna, a cafe, 'Roman baths' and a proposal for the pool to be turned into an ice rink during the winter months.
Residents and opposition party councillors urged the council to give the public access to the consultation's findings before they go to cabinet, which was noted by Mrs Jewell.
Send your completed questionnaires to Holywell Mead Consultation, Community Services, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 1BB.
Alternatively, email your suggestions to leisure@wycombe.gov.uk - The public consultation closes on Friday, January 22.
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