Labour vow to save poolLabour councillors have learnt that the open air pool may have closed its doors for the final time. Broxbourne Council will decide the fate of the Spinning Wheel pool now with the current season having ended on 31 August. Revealing the news, Cllr Malcolm Aitken (Labour, Waltham Cross) said: "The open air pool is a vital asset to the people of this borough. The pool has been enjoyed by many generations. We taught our children to swim there. It should not be closed. "Millions of pounds was found to finance the overspent budget for the John Warner Sports Centre so it is a great shame that Broxbourne Conservatives are quibbling over the tiny sum required to save this borough's only open air pool. "The pool delivers great value to the people this borough. "If the council closes the pool for good, it will deprive people of an affordable and unique leisure facility. It must be kept open. "I hope this can be resolved as soon as possible so the pool can be safeguarded for future generations. "As Broxbourne Council spent nothing on the Queen's Golden Jubilee, this is an ideal opportunity for to save the pool for a further 50 years." The open air pool was opened a little over 50 years ago. At the local elections in May, Broxbourne Labour Party pledged to "save the open air pool". The shock revelation about the pool's fate was buried in an obscure council report, the borough's asset management plan. The report was officially published last month but Labour councillors had to repeatedly demand a copy before they were allowed to see it. According to the plan, "The Hoddesdon Open Air Pool heating equipment requires repair but the sustainability of the pool and a decision on its future operation will be put to the Community Services Committee in September 2002." A council spokesman has since claimed that decision will be delayed. The future of the pool is now expected to be decided on 21 January. The report adds: "The Council has identified works which relate to premises which are nearing the end of their useful life for the current use."
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