Local councillors have welcomed the news that Tenby could be a ‘step closer’ to a new swimming pool for the town and surrounding area.

With Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet returning today (September 5), following the summer break, one of the first items on the agenda to be discussed was a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, who represents Tenby’s South Ward, calling for the local authority to “establish a politically balanced working group to consider options for the siting of a new swimming pool in Tenby and to provide a steer on preferred options for progress.”

A report to the meeting indicated that the pool which was built in 1973 by the Tenby Swimming Pool Trust and was subsequently incorporated into the town’s council leisure centre, is well used by residents, schools, clubs and visitors, with more than 189,000 public and school visits to the leisure centre in 2019/20.

Addressing the meeting, Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall, who is also Mayor of Tenby, stated: “I am not going to spend too long revisiting the case for a new pool – that is laid out in your papers, is clear and agreed; so this is not about if, but about how and inevitably where.

“It does seem odd, as all focus is on a cost-of-living crisis to be talking about swimming pools, but we should be clear we are not talking about luxuries. This is about wellbeing, health and fitness.

“In a town that this weekend will host Ironman for the 10th time, we should not underestimate the impact it has made in focussing people’s minds on better health – or the contribution that swimming makes to better physical and mental health.

“Nor after the tragedies of this summer should we forget the vital importance of our schools having access to good facilities to teach young people to swim.

“We also know that a new pool is required as part of the integrated health and leisure options in Tenby and South Pembrokeshire – we also know that now that access to Bluestone has changed, there is a commercial opportunity – and a chance to give access to fun swims for residents across the county,” she continued.

“We have an ageing pool, not fit for purpose and creaking through each repair and maintenance programme.

“My concern – and the reason for the notice of motion – was that people were drifting off with a range of ideas for the location of the pool and grand master planning exercises.

“We need a speedy review of location options and to make an equally speedy decision about preferred location. We then need to allow the corporate capital group to advise us on the best way drive this forward.

“So this is about time - not positioning or playing around. That is why I want this group to have a clear reference about confirming a desired location and allowing this to move forward,” added Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall.

After the notice was approved by cabinet, County Councillor for the St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty ward, Cllr Rhys Jordan welcomed the news, stating: “This is another step closer to a new pool for Tenby!

“A group of five to six local councillors will be formed and chaired by Cabinet member for public services Cllr Rhys Sinnett to discuss how this project will look, where it will be located and most importantly when it will be delivered!

“Well done to Sam for moving this motion forward, It will be no surprise to those who know me that I am fully behind the project and can’t wait to get stuck in!

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much,” he added.