THE importance of the Meadowlands swimming pool to the community came under the spotlight in a meeting last week, when it was revealed that usage numbers have seen a big increase over the last two years. Members of West Devon Borough Council's community committee heard that in the period from October 2013 to April 2014, Meadowlands saw 59,361 people using the pool. The overall usage was up by 6,377 visits on the same period from October 2012 to April 2013, and up by 12,147 visits on the same period in 2011/12. Wet and wild sessions and school sessions have seen the biggest increase, and swimming memberships have gone up to 372 members. Swim school numbers are also at the highest level recorded at the pool, with 411 people attending weekly. As well as highlighting the usage increase, the report to members brought up several recent initiatives to encourage visitors. Cllr Robin Musgrave, borough representative for Bere Ferrers, said: 'Over two years, a 25% increase in usage is an extraordinary achievement, and very very positive news. 'With this significant increase in usage, I would like to see a drop in the management fee in future.' Cllr Bill Cann, borough representative for South Tawton, said: 'I'd like to say I am very pleased to see the figures improving and improving so well. 'It just goes to show that Meadowlands is not the white elephant we are led to believe it is. I also love to hear that swim school numbers are up, and school children are attending and keeping active.' The future of the pool has been the subject of much local debate in recent months. In March, it was revealed that there were problems with the long-term funding of the pool, and that the council would be looking at various options to address swimming facilities in the future. One of the options suggested was to put money into the Olympic Legacy Pool project at Kelly College. The news saw local supporters of Meadowlands stage a demonstration outside the borough council offices. Cllr Alison Clish-Green for Tavistock South West said: 'I don't think that Kelly should cloud our thinking on our own assets. 'I feel a lot of the conversation recently has been on what Kelly College are doing, when we really should focus on Meadowlands and Parklands in Okehampton.'