The community in Narberth has been reassured that the town’s swimming pool will re-open, once safe and viable to do so.

SwimNarberth trustees, including the town’s mayor Chris Walters; Sue Rees, Janice Rees and Martin James moved this week to reassure everyone, by stating: “There are lots of rumours circulating that SwimNarberth is not going to re-open - but we definitely are!”

“We will re-open, as soon as we are able to ensure everyone is as safe as they can be, but it has to be financially viable for us too. So please be patient, because it is going to take quite some time until SwimNarberth is up and running, back to normal and once again able to welcome everyone to our lovely community owned pool.

“If the government would say go back to normal next Monday, we could be up and running by then, but they are not going to do that. Swim Wales are giving out information, but that may not apply to us, as we are a smaller pool, where social distancing will be more difficult and we are not owned by the county council. So, watch this space and we will tell you as soon as we know ourselves”

The trustees state that they have been meeting on a weekly basis during the pandemic, and in constant communication through email and phone.

“We have been looking at every permutation we can think of, as to how it will be safe and viable for us to open, as soon as we are allowed,” they continued.

“In the meantime, we are setting in place a plan of action, for jobs that have needed to be done and can now be done while we are closed. Watch this space because we will be looking for volunteer handy men and women, who can paint, drill, saw, screw, plumb and hammer etc, to help us rejuvenate inside and out, probably by the end of August!

“Anyone who is good at gardening and cutting down brambles on a bank, would be a great asset right now! So please contact us, right now.”

The trustees have stated that a ‘staggered opening’ will get things up and running, with probably just lessons to start with, on a drop off pick up basis, much like schools have in place, and strictly by prior booking only, with swimmers having to arrive ready to swim and leave in just a onesie, or something similar.

“We will then see how it goes, but be assured, we will increase access to everyone, as soon as we possibly can,” they added.