Future of Stamford Bridge Community Pool remains uncertain

Stamford Bridge Community Pool is described as one of the village’s “greatest assets”.

Hosting generations of birthday parties, swim sessions and children’s lessons, the pool in Church Road is well used, year-round.

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But in recent weeks, fears have mounted about its future.

The pool needs up to four new lifeguards or it will be forced to close for open swims and private hires this summer.

Speaking about this, chairperson of the pool committee Shelley Lawton said: “Our two lovely lifeguards are leaving us before summer.

“Ideally we would hire up to four new lifeguards, two of whom will receive a training package kindly paid for by the parish council.”

Shelley explained that sadly, small community pools like Stamford Bridge’s do not have the resources to train their lifeguards in-house.

(Image: Supplied)

She said that lifeguards are required to re-train every two years – something that is usually self-funded by employees.

Faced with the possibility of losing the pool, Shelley’s committee had begun turning customers away.

She said: “We have been so stressed – our pool means everything to us.

“It caters for all ages in the community – from babies first swims, to hosting five primary school lessons, family sessions and classes for those over 55.

“Our elderly users particularly benefit from regular visits; it’s important to them, their health and serves as a means to make friends.”

‘Without support, we risk losing something truly special’

A spokesperson for Stamford Bridge Parish Council said that the pool was a facility most villages of its size could “only dream of”.

They added: “Without support, we risk losing something truly special.

“We were proud to give funding to the pool to ensure new lifeguards can be trained.”

Shelley said the pool wanted to hire the new lifeguards in time for a taster session given by the facility’s current lifeguards in the coming months.

An appeal has since been shared widely on social media – and has received more than 15 applicants, the parish council confirmed.

For more information, please email info@sbcpool.org.