People are being asked to dip into their pockets to help save Narberth swimming pool.

The Friends of Narberth Pool need to raise £200,000 to enable their planned take-over of the facility, and are appealing to the communities in and around Narberth to donate money or buy shares.

The pool is earmarked for closure as part of efficiency savings being made by its current owners, Pembrokeshire County Council, and was due to close on April 1.

But for the past few months, the Friends have been in detailed discussions with the pool’s owners, Pembrokeshire County Council.

Friends chair, Sue Rees, said they had been working closely with the authority to form a robust business plan which entails the Friends taking over the running of the pool to ensure its future.

“With the help of the county council, the main framework of the business plan is in place. Now we need to raise money to make sure the plan is a viable proposition,” she explained.

“We need £200,000 to be spent on energy improvements at the pool, without which it cannot continue.

“The alternatives for reducing the present shortfall have been evaluated. The only way to achieve this is to improve fuel efficiency. This will be achieved by installing a biomass boiler and photo-voltaic (solar) panel . These improvements will provide a viable and sustainable long term future for the pool.

“We expect to raise the cash through a combination of donations and the purchase of shares in the pool.

“The people of Narberth and the surrounding community wish to save the pool. Now we have to dip into our pocket to find the money to do so.

“The deadline of the end of June is set by the end of the three month extension granted by PCC in January. We need to receive sufficient donations and/or advance purchases of shares by this date, so time is of the essence.”

The council’s cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, Councillor Elwyn Morse, said: “The Friends of Narberth Pool have worked hard, in partnership with the county council, to provide a business plan.

“I urge the local community to secure the pool’s future by making donations or buying shares.”

To donate to the Friends or to obtain a copy of a stakeholder Advance Purchase Form, please contact John Sleigh on 01834 860 014."