A CAMPAIGN has been launched to ensure the needs of the Keswick community are central to any plans to replace the town's leisure centre.

Friends of Keswick Leisure has been set up by town and borough councillor Markus Campbell-Savours. Hundreds of people have joined the Facebook page.

More than 550 people have also signed a petition, created by Keswick resident Franchesca Robson, in a bid to save the popular swimming pool.

There was a huge public response when it was announced last week that the town pool would shut its doors for good after it was decided reopening it would be ‘financially unviable’.

Allerdale Council has announced that it will close permanently following recent investigations which unveiled significant costs.

The council says the pool is already more than 10 years past its anticipated lifespan. Maintenance work carried out during the pandemic uncovered a number of age-related problems related to tiling, drainage and filters. Concerns were also raised about the working order of the pool plant system. It is estimated that relining the pool and repairing drainage channels would cost between £150,000 and £200,000 – refilling the pool and reheating it would alone cost £20,000.

Coun Campbell-Savours said: "Keswick needs a great leisure centre. We need to set out an ambitious view of what we want the future leisure centre to be like, to help convince the council that a pool that meets the needs of tourists can also meet the needs of swimmers, young families and our older residents."

He is delighted with the response. "I feel I have really tapped into the frustration the town has had for many years about the facilities we were given."

Ms Robson has launched a petition at change.org which will be presented to Allerdale Council.

"We are seeking support for Keswick leisure pool to be replaced with modern swimming and gym facilities," states the petition.

"Keswick is in the heart of the Lake District, being able to swim is essential. Children in the town do not have anywhere to safely learn to swim, the nearest public pool is 13.1 miles away from Keswick, this is unacceptable.

"The gym on the site is small and dated and the site does not have a sports hall or pitch for team games.

"Keswick deserves to have a good standard of swimming and gym facilities like other towns in the Allerdale area.

"We need 1000 signatures to get Allerdale Borough Council to debate the replacement of Keswick leisure pool at full council."