Around 80 people turned up at recent meeting to discuss the future of Ships and Castles following its devolution to the town council.
Pendennis Leisure shared where it was with the project and told people at the meeting at Falmouth Rugby Club that it would cost eight to ten million pounds to build a new 25m pool within the current structure and make it energy efficient.
Pendennis Leisure’s main aim is to get a six lane 25m pool and an accessible learner pool at the heart of a functioning community leisure centre open as soon as possible.
They told the audience they are aiming for Levelling Up round three as the main source of funding, depending on the support of Cornwall Council and Cherilyn Mackrory MP.
Posting on Facebook the community interest company said: “We were really happy to welcome around 80 people to our meeting to discuss Ships and Castles on Monday [January 16].
“It was great to be able to share where we are and how the project, as we see it, is developing and to receive some positive feedback, ideas and support from those in attendance.
“We were able to discuss some preliminary plans for the swimming pool, however, these are still underdevelopment with third parties and we are not yet at liberty to openly share firm plans - any pictures shown at the last public meeting were purely illustrative at this time.”
They said they will be able to share the rest of the presentation at its next meeting on March 21 where they will continue to discuss the progression of the main pool project and also develop their 'meanwhile' plans.
They said it could take up to a year to secure funding and necessary permissions to refurbish Ships and Castles. It could easily take a further year to organise suppliers and contracts and get the work done.
Between now and April the company is aiming to identify community partners who will work with them to partly re-open the centre for fitness activities and other such purposes that are compatible with Pendennis Headland aims.
READ NEXT:
Decision made on parking restrictions along Falmouth's seafront and beach roads
They say they are talking to several potential partners and are keen to hear from organisations who can contribute to running costs in return for safely and securely using the studio gym and potentially even pool spaces.
They say they need to utilise volunteers and develop a volunteer programme to enable the centre to be reopened as soon as possible.
The next meeting will be on March 21. See Pendennis Leisure Facebook page for details.
If you would like to volunteer, contribute to plans or suggest proposals for 'meanwhile' use or long term designs, you can email them at : hello@pendennisleisure.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel