urgent call to aid hydrotherapy pool (From Swindon Advertiser)
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urgent call to aid hydrotherapy pool
2:10pm Friday 5th August 2011 in Local
Mike Baxter at Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool which is launching an emergency campaign to raise funds to repair the damaged ventilation system
TRUSTEES and users of a special pool for disabled people have launched an urgent appeal for funds to pay for a new ventilation system.
Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool, in Stratton, needs emergency work on its 25-year-old system, which could cost about £135,000.
At the moment the facility is staying open to its 29 youth and adult groups and thousands of hospital and family doctor referrals by using a huge industrial fan and opening the doors.
But trustee Mike Baxter said the decision had been taken by his fellow board members that there needed to be a long-term solution.
He said: “Basically our ventilation system is not capable of circulating the air as it should do. The original system is 25 years old, maybe a bit more, and it’s not working at its full capacity.
“Because the pool operates at 92-odd degrees and 80 per cent humidity the old system was flooding through into the new building, which has got its own ventilation.
“When the condensation problem started about 18 months ago we got really worried. We did not know how bad it was until an electrician broke into the roof to find a cable and found water lying in the roof lining.
“We can just replace the old one and leave the newer one to deteriorate, which is not really an option, so the trustees decided to go for two complete new systems and re-line the roof.
“The figure of £135,000 is from a feasibility study and just an estimate so it could be a lot more or a lot less. We cannot go to companies or apply for grants until we have three quotes.”
The 74-year-old said the work was beyond what the charity could do with current funding and he appealed to the community at large.
He said: “It is now time for the pool to seek help from the community and local companies to ensure the continuation of this excellent facility.
“Our users are aware of the problems and the response has been positive as they appreciate we have done all we can.
“The pool will not close as the setup with the industrial fan and open doors works but that’s not a long-term solution. We just want to get the ventilation done properly so we can close the doors and make it secure.”
Anyone who wants to donate to the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool can contact them directly on 01793 496002 or email info@thamesdownhydrotherapypool.com.
