IT HAS saddened me that there has been a fair amount of negative attitude and criticism recently concerning the Okehampton swimming pool in the local press.
As a regular dawn dipper, I would like to redress the balance somewhat. It is the opinion of myself, and other dawn dippers, that the Okehampton Pool is more than suitably adequate for its designated purpose of swimming.
Nobody denies that money needs to be spent on various maintenance and cosmetic items. A consensus of opinion is that money is not necessarily being fully utilised due to the planned building of a new leisure centre, which would have included various new pools.
As we now all know, this new centre was not successful at the last attempt, and there is no guarantee that it will be successful at the next.
I feel that a more positive attitude should be taken towards the facility that we have, at present, actually got, rather than something that might be in the future. I have always found the staff to be very efficient, caring and friendly, even at seven in the morning in the depth of winter.
Having been actually in the pool during two emergency situations the staff reacted with immediate and practical efficiency following the correct safety procedures throughout.
As a swimmer who remembers, and used, the old swimming bath at Old Park, I feel very grateful for what this town now has.
The pool, in its present location, did not magically appear overnight. It took an awful lot of hard work, positive attitude and application by the people of Okehampton and district, spearheaded by ODSPA over a considerable number of years.
Things can always be improved, but let us all be thankful for what we have actually got, be supportive of your local pool, rather than be negatively critical of it.
A few thousand pounds for maintenance and cosmetic upkeep could easily bring the pool up to a standard to please all concerned from the West Devon Borough Council, swimming pool management and staff, and all the pool users.
We need to keep the pool up to standard, it might be the last one we will ever have. Think positive and please support the good facility we do have. Lose it and we could end up with nothing.
R Glover
13 Beans Meadow
Okehampton