Cardigan Memorial Pool and Hall transferred to Council ownership
Cardigan Memorial Pool and Hall has been transferred to Council ownership, following a decision by the Cardigan Memorial Pool and Hall Trust to close the pool on 11 March 2024 and subsequent decision made at a Cabinet meeting on 19 March 2024, and the Charity Commission’s consent to the transfer via an Order dated 25 June 2024 (as amended on 26 June 2024).
Ceredigion County Council has been working in partnership with the Trustees of the Pool and The Charity Commission, since it first became apparent that the current challenging financial environment meant that the Trustees continuing to operate the swimming pool was no longer financially viable.
The transfer of ownership will safeguard the strategic site as a future potential location for Ceredigion’s second Wellbeing Centre. The Council’s Cabinet approved a recommendation on 06 December 2022 that the location of the County’s second Wellbeing Centre will be in Cardigan.
By taking over the ownership of the asset, residents of Cardigan and the surrounding areas can be assured that the facility will be protected going forward. However, the Council will not be maintaining the services that were provided at the centre before it closed.
Following the transfer of ownership, the Council will still consider leasing to a new charity or organisation provided a robust and convincing business plan is presented.
Councillor Catrin M S Davies, Ceredigion’s Cabinet member responsible for Leisure Services said: “There is a value to our communities in having leisure and well-being facilities locally as their services, staff and provision contribute to a healthy and caring county. The Council intends to continue with the development of a new Wellbeing Centre."
Cardigan Memorial Pool and Hall Trust said: “This transfer of ownership to the Council will secure the site in public hands going forward. There is a lot of hard work being done by a new team of volunteers trying to re-open the pool and we wish them the very best in their endeavours. Longer term, we believe that the site makes the perfect location for a Wellbeing centre and as a Trust we would advocate that this includes swimming provision if this is financially viable.”
The decision to take ownership of the asset supports Ceredigion County Council’s Wellbeing Objectives to create caring and healthy communities and providing the best start in life and enabling learning at all ages.