THE energy crisis could force the closure of Wiveliscombe’s 95-year-old open-air swimming pool, trustees have warned.

The future is becoming “increasingly uncertain” for the “vital” community asset, according to Elizabeth Hurry, chair of the trustees for the pool, who have launched a fundraising bid to save the pool.

The pool will operate reduced hours through September, and after that, the future is “uncertain”, as trustees say they are “out of options for what we can do to reduce costs”.

Elizabeth said: “We have had to take the decision to run limited hours from September 5 - 30, and it is unknown at this point whether we will be able to afford to run at Christmas this year, and even more uncertain for next year.

“It is sad as many people who live here learnt to swim in this pool and they have emphasised the importance of keeping it running for the mental and physical wellbeing of everyone in Wiveliscombe and the surrounding area.”

The pool celebrated its 95th birthday this year and is an important part of Wiveliscombe history. However, the cost of living crisis risks leaving the facility in the deep end when it comes to paying for heating and running expenses.

In reaction to rocketing energy bills, which mean keeping the pool heated to a sustainable temperature is proving too costly, the management are trying to pursue eco-friendly ways of heating the pool. A Just Giving campaign has been launched to try to raise the £100,000 needed to invest in heat pumps and solar panels, to remove the pool’s dependency on gas.

Martin Keane, maintenance manager of the pool for 15 years, believes that ‘the pool is running as efficiently as any other in the country’. He said: “We had ultraviolet systems installed last year which help us save on the use of chlorine.

“Installing air/ground-source heat pumps will reduce our dependency on gas by 50 per cent, not to mention the use of solar panels and the potential of using geothermal energy production.

“If we manage to pull this off, we could save £20,000 in a year on energy bills. We are out of options for what we can do to reduce the costs as we have lowered the temperature of the pool as much as we can.”

Wivey Pool has seen record numbers of people using it during the heatwave.

Martin added: “The benefits of this pool are immeasurable as it has such a big impact for the community and society. Many see this pool as an essential service to the community and the impact that the pool has on people’s lives will be lost if it does not stay open.”

Elizabeth added that elderly residents in particular get great benefit from the pool. She said: “Some elderly members who struggle with mobility are like dolphins when they get in the water. The weightlessness really helps with their ability to move and we have had many people who have recently had hip or knee operations come to the pool on the advice of their GP.”

And the younger generation need the pool too, the trustees said. Swim England say more than a million children could leave primary school without having learnt to swim. Wivey pool holds regular children and family sessions to teach this essential skill.

Elizabeth said: “We are trying to future proof the pool, which will keep it open for generations to come. In order to do this we need to raise £100,000 to invest in eco-friendly ways of heating the pool and lowering our costs.”

For more information or to donate visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/wiveypool