Leaks in the deep end of Ashburton Swimming Pool are to be repaired over the next six weeks to enable the facility to open at the end of May.

Ashburton Swimming Pool said it has raised enough money to fix the main leaks ahead of this summer and that it will continue to fundraise for a full lining.

‘While this vital repair work will not fully resolve the leak issue, it represents a crucial step forward,’ a pool spokesperson said. ‘Combined with new water management policies, these repairs will help us maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for the community to gather, swim and create lasting memories for many years to come,’ the spokesperson added.

Ashburton Swimming Pool is one of two community groups to benefit from a £30,000 grant from the town council that was generated from a council tax increase for 2025/26.

Volunteers from Ashburton Swimming Pool repaired a large crack last year. However. the pool continued to lose water and there were fears it might not be able to open in 2025 without a cash injection to fund a professional diagnostic company to identify the cause of the leak so it could be repaired properly.

Trustees from Ashburton Pool thanked the local community for their ongoing support ‘through this challenging period’. Adding that ‘your contributions encouragement and patience have been essential in making this project a reality.’

The Trustees also expressed their gratitude to Ashburton Town Council for their ongoing commitment to the pool. The Council’s ‘generous financial contribution to address the leak, along with their leadership in organising a public consultation to approve a necessary increase in the precept, has been crucial in securing the long-term sustainability of this beloved community resource’.

Ashburton Swimming Pool is due to open between the end of May and September.