[S]hap Swimming Pool has now been given the go ahead to reopen following the awful devastation from Storm Hector last Thursday,
Wind damage to the steel posts supporting the pool compound’s sectional walling caused the panels to break free in the wind. There was also some minor damage to the pool insulating covers which had to be physically secured down by volunteers to prevent them taking off.
Since the incident the Pool Committee has been working tirelessly with the builders, architect, manufacturers and insurance company to find a temporary solution to get the popular facility back open as soon as possible, whilst a more long-term solution to the issue can be found.
“Everyone was shocked and devastated by the incident” reported committee chair and Trustee, Jeanette Morris. “We were reassured by our advisors and the manufacturer that the chosen solution would stand up to the winds experienced in Shap. No-one expected this sort of damage to be caused to the steel supports. The manufacturer and our advisors are working with us to fully understand what happened and to design a long-term solution”.
“The good news is that members of the committee were on site trying to secure the covers when the walling started to go, so we could see exactly what was happening and managed to save many of the panels themselves” said Jeanette. “We are overwhelmed by the support we received from members of the local community who also rushed to our aid.”
The pool will be open again from the evening of Thursday 21st June with a new and improved timetable of sessions. “We have listened to feedback from our customers with regard to the new sessions we had run this year” said Jeanette. “As a result, we have now amended the timetable to reflect what they want. We’ve removed some of the less popular sessions in favour of extended opening times so that those in the village attending school in Penrith and Kendal still have time for a swim after the bus drops them at home.”
The new timetable can be found on the website at www.shapswimmingpool.co.uk
