A public swimming pool that has served the community for more than half a century is set to close abruptly, a move described as an "enormous loss" to the local area. The pool at the Carmarthen campus of the University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) will shut at the start of next month.
University bosses have attributed the decision to a decline in the number of people using the facility and the "costs associated with maintaining and operating the pool". However, regular users are devastated by the impending loss, and the university has faced criticism over how the decision was reached and announced.
Community shock and a petition to save the pool
The pool has been in use since the 1970s and has been open to the public through membership or pay-per-use schemes. One member, Cherie Thomas, who lives nearby, credits the pool with helping her recover from a recent operation and warns that its closure will harm the physical and mental wellbeing of Carmarthen residents.
"There's a real community of people who use the pool and I just think the university is being quite short-sighted," said Ms Thomas. "They've made this decision without any sort of public consultation. They don't seem that bothered about it, which is wrong because it's for the community. The other pool in Carmarthen (in Carmarthen Leisure Centre) is too big and too noisy. This pool is smaller, and people use it for their mental wellbeing."
Ms Thomas disputes the university's claim of a "significant decline" in users, blaming a lack of advertising. "If they advertised it, more people would go," she said. "What we want is for them (decision-makers at the university) to sit down with local people and lay out what it would cost to keep the facility going. If running costs are the main problem, there could be grants available to fund them. We just want them to say 'we'll give you six months or a year to come up with different options to keep it open' - that way at least we would have time to come up with a plan to save it."
Petition highlights the pool's wider role
Ms Thomas has started a petition called 'preserve the UWTSD pool for our community and students'. On it, she wrote: "Just a few months ago, I found myself recovering from an operation that left me feeling vulnerable and unsure of my future. The healing process was daunting, but the lifeline that helped me navigate this challenging period was the UWTSD pool."
"This local treasure provided me not only a haven to regain my physical strength, learning to swim from scratch once more, but also a space for mental and emotional recovery. It's a sanctuary that took me from isolation back into the folds of our community."
"The closure of the UWTSD pool would be an enormous loss to our community - a loss that cannot be understated. This facility serves a vital role, teaching essential water safety skills to local schoolchildren from primary levels and providing a meeting ground for people of all ages. This pool is a gathering place that fosters social connections and encourages a healthy lifestyle through activities like swimming clubs and aqua aerobics."
"The UWTSD pool is more than just a place for sport and exercise—it's an integral part of our community's fabric, promoting health, wellness, and camaraderie. We cannot lose such a significant community resource, and as such, I urge decision-makers to reconsider any plans for its closure."
Other users have commented on the petition, calling the facility a "local treasure and sanctuary". One person said "if it was promoted more then more people would use it". Another wrote: "It saddens me that it will be closed in a few weeks. Surely it can complement the other pools within the area, particularly as it is unique".
Political support and university response
Reform MS Gareth Beer, one of six Senedd Members elected to the Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency in this year's election, has backed the campaign. "The closure of the swimming pool at UWTSD in Carmarthen is a shocking blow to local families, schools, clubs and swimmers," said Mr Beer. "For over 50 years, this pool has helped people stay active, improve their wellbeing and learn a life-saving skill. Now, yet another community facility is being taken away from Carmarthenshire. We should be expanding access to sport and leisure, not shutting it down."
UWTSD maintains that "it is no longer financially viable" to keep the pool open. A spokeswoman for the university said: "The decision to close the swimming pool on the Carmarthen campus follows a significant decline in the number of users and overall usage of the pool in recent years."
"At the same time, the costs associated with maintaining and operating the pool, including rising energy costs and ongoing maintenance requirements, have continued to increase. As a result, it is no longer financially viable to sustain the facility in the current environment, where there are growing pressures on university resources".
"Students, staff and current users of the pool have been informed of the closure, with as much advance notice as possible following the decision. Information on alternative swimming facilities and providers in the local area has also been shared to help support current users."
