WHAT is being described as a ‘crunch’ AGM is being held at Cardigan Swimming Pool at 1pm next Monday as trustees continue to try and find ways to guarantee the ageing facility’s survival.

Last year, Chair of Trustees Matt Newland gave a stark warning that the 46-year-old pool where generations of young Cardis have been taught how to swim was in danger of closing unless it received ‘significant’ investment.

Then, back in March, the pool – a registered charity which receives no outside funding – was said to have been thrown a possible lifeline through a £233k grant from the Sports Council of Wales, aimed at transforming its heating system, insulating the toddler pool and providing pool covers in the hope of slashing energy bills and making the facility more environmentally-friendly.

However, since then question marks have continued to hang over the complex’s future and last month the pool was again forced to close briefly following problems with its water heating system.

The pool dates back to 1977 and Mr Newland told the Tivyside that parts of its system were extremely old and difficult to work with.

“Unfortunately, the pool has suffered from a lack of investment over many years and we have had a bad year with large and expensive bits of plant breaking down,” he added.

However, hopes remain that the pool will be given a new lease of life if Ceredigion County Council decide to locate their planned Wellbeing Centre on the Fairfield site, as opposed to the Teifi Leisure Centre.

Cardigan residents have until December 31 to give their views to the local authority.

Local community leader Cllr Clive Davies has suggested that the Fairfield’s town centre location and abundant parking would make it a better option.

“I would hope the ideal location would be near the town centre with easy access, have wider health and well-being facilities and the ability to offer a much wider set of services such as advisory sessions with Age Cymru, the NHS, Citizens Advice or council staff – in other words a one-stop shop for the area,” he said.

“The county council survey does ask about water-based activities and facilities, so this could be an opportunity for the trustees of Cardigan Pool to redouble their efforts in completing their ongoing renovation work and make it a more attractive proposition as a possible location.”

The pool will be closed from today (Wednesday) due to work being carried out for the Sport Wales grant projects.

“This closure will continue right through to the New Year (Tuesday, January 2),” confirmed Mr Newland in a Facebook post.

“We would like to thank you all for your understanding and continued support throughout another difficult year, and we hope to welcome you all back with a new and more reliable heating system.

“I would also like to add that the Annual General Meeting will still go ahead as usual on Monday at 1pm at the pool. We hope to see you there!”