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Published:
April 8, 2008
Delight as Burnham-On-Sea
swimming pool is saved from closure
 Delighted
campaigners fighting to save Burnham-On-Sea's closure-threatened
swimming pool are celebrating today after the district council
announced on Tuesday morning (April 8th) that it had found new
owners to take it over.
Triathlon
champion Sara-Jane Cox and her husband Mark Conklin (pictured
below) have been named as the new lease holders of the pool following
six months of uncertainty about the pool's future.
The
couple announced that they intend to transform the pool into a
new swimming and sports academy.
International
sports star Sara has returned from America with her husband to
save the pool in which she first learnt to swim. Read
more about the couple here.
 The
pair admitted on Tuesday that with the pool's annual defecit running
at a third of a million pounds, they have a "gigantic challenge"
ahead of them.
Delighted
Tom Ashton, Chairman of Burnham's Save Our Swim (SOS) group, hailed
the news as "absolutely fantastic".
He
added: "We are all utterly delighted and thank everyone who
supported us, including Burnham-On-Sea.com and the local press."
"This
has been the biggest and best campaign in Burnham ever and clearly
shows people power can win!"
Sara
is the daughter of David and Ann Cox, who run the Laburnum House
hotel on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea, and was raised in the
town.
 The
couple have signed a 99-year lease that ensures the site remains
a pool for a mininum of 20 years.
The
lease was signed by Sedgemoor District Council leader Cllr Duncan
McGinty and Chief Executive Kerry Rickard on Tuesday, pictured
above with Cllr Neville Jones of the task group set up to find
a new lease holder.
Tuesday's
announcement came after a busy six months of activity behind the
scenes to save the pool. Leader of Sedgemoor District Council,
Councillor Duncan McGinty, said: "We are thrilled that all
the hard work by many people over the past four months has paid
off. I am sure that the plans that the new leaseholders have for
the building are extremely exciting and will help put Burnham-on-Sea
on the sporting map."
Burnham
MP David Heathcoat-Amory expressed his delight at hearing the
news on Tuesday lunchtime. Mr Heathcoat-Amory, who worked alongside
councillors and campaigners on the campaign to save the pool,
said: "I am delighted that the pool will remain open."
"It
is a facility that can be used by residents and tourists of all
age groups. I have been involved in the campaign to secure its
future because I realise how important it is to Burnham and the
surrounding areas."
Our
photos show the scenes at the press conference on Tuesday lunchtime,
when (top) Burnham Swimming Club's Pat Pussill and SOS Chairman
Tom Ashton celenbrated with Mark and Sara; the triumphant scenes
in the Community Hall; and (bottom) Cllr Ann Bown and Teresa Harvey
with Mark and Sara
RELATED
LINKS:
Official
'Save Our Swimming Pool' website
Meet
the couple who have saved Burnham pool
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turnout at packed swimming pool public meeting
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meeting set to be held on future of pool
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'We'll
fight closure of Burnham swimming pool' vow campaigners
Burnham
swimming pool 'may permanently close by April 2008'
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