ANGRY operators of a community pool have hit back at claims that it could close.

Recently a report from Harlech in Action, a community group looking to promote the town, called for action to help save the town’s community pool and the 17 jobs attached to it.

A report from Harlech in Action suggested the pool is “under threat, in gradual decline, and ultimately not sustainable, and decisions will need to be made this autumn”.

However the volunteer directors of not-for-profit company Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure, who took over the running of the town’s leisure centre in 2011 in a bid to keep the facility open amid Gwynedd Council cuts, have disputed the claims.

Representatives of the swimming pool and Harlech in Action are now due to meet this week.

“We are delighted to report that we have no intention of closing; in fact, we are experiencing an increase in footfall in all areas and taking on extra staff,” said the pool directors.

“We now have associate volunteer members assisting the board members as well as individual working groups.

“Our volunteers are also playing an important part in the maintenance and we now have a volunteer maintenance group.

“Our associate members have the skills, ability and optimism to enable us to survive.

“We also have a volunteer media manager who has proved to be invaluable.”

The board of directors has also agreed to discuss the possibility of a 60-bedroom hotel being built on the current site of the swimming pool.

“In principle the board is willing to consider further the proposal put forward by Harlech in Action Group,” their statement continued.

“The board of HAL and staff are excited by the potential benefits of a new energy efficient swimming pool and related amenities, such as community café and climbing wall.

“However, as this proposal is still at a very early stage we cannot assume it will happen so we intend to continue trading as we are.”

The question of fund-raising was also addressed.

“Our associate fund-raising organisation Rock Ardudwy gave £9,000 this year to Harlech & Ardudwy for complete maintenance and repair of pool equipment, plus fridges and a washing machine.

“All systems chlorinated and complete checks against Legionella have been carried out and a further £2,000 for complete change of furniture for the café and counter fridges.”

Heidi Williams, a representative of Harlech in Action who was also a prominent member of the committee which saved the community pool from being axed, was keen to settle any feeling of animosity in the town.

She said: “We’re just talking at the moment, feeling out ways to keep a swimming pool in the town for years to come and also looking at how we can improve accommodation in the area.

“There’s still lots of work to do, we’re at a very early stage in proceedings.”