SWIMMING is more popular than ever at West Devon Borough Council?s two leisure pools, according to latest figures. The number of visitors to Tavistock?s Meadowlands pool and Okehampton?s Parklands Leisure Centre has increased year on year ? both centres attract 215,000 visits to sessions every year. New statistics from November 2005 to January this year, show the number of visits to Parklands was just over 11,000, an increase of 6,700 visits for the same period last year. At Meadowlands, figures for the same period showed 5,425 visits, up by almost 900 on the previous year. Meadowlands also has an extra 100 centre members on last year with membership standing at 349 people. Parklands membership has also increased from just over 1,000 last year to 1,153 centre members this year. Parklands fitness suite had more than 7,600 visits, 5,000 up on last year ? an increase of almost 300%. The children?s swimschools at each centre regularly attracts more than 300 youngsters. Cllr Nick Morgan, chairman of the council?s environment and community committee, was delighted with the growing number of visitors: ?We expect the numbers to rise during the summer period, but we are very pleased that they are going up during a period which is normally very quiet. Long may it continue.?
