Petition to keep swimming pool in Ross-on-Wye centre (From Hereford Times)

Petition to keep swimming pool in Ross-on-Wye centre

11:00am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Paul Rogers

A PETITION has been started to save Ross-on-Wye’s swimming pool – even though there has been no official statement released saying that it will close.

There is, however, a feasibility study underway between Herefordshire Council and John Kyrle High School to see what can be done to improve leisure facilities in the town.

And one woman believes this could see the town’s existing pool relocated from its current site in Red Meadow to the school’s grounds off Ledbury Road.

Julia Southan is so concerned at the possible effects from the study that she has set up a petition to try and keep the pool in its current location.

“I have got more than 500 signatures in the last week,” said Julia, who has been swimming at the pool for 25 years.

“The swimming pool is a fantastic site with a car park and people can go swimming, then go into town to the Post Office or do their shopping.

“People are really angry about the proposal and I worry about the car parking at John Kyrle.

“I have no objections to John Kyrle having a pool, but no one knows what is going on at the moment.”

John Kyrle High School headteacher Nigel Griffiths confirmed that the school is in talks with Herefordshire Council.

It is helping the council draw up a feasibility study to improve leisure facilities in the town as part of a £6 million investment.

“I must emphasise this is all still in the very early stages and both the council and the school want this to be part of a co-ordinated dialogue with the locality to decide upon the best way forward,” he said.

“There are issues to resolve in terms of the exact location of the facility and the school would want to be able to maximise community usage, including, wherever possible, during the school day.”

John Kyrle is now building a new £1 million sports facility that includes a state-of-the-art multigym.