Wotton Swimming Pool has been encouraged to look for further grant funding if they wish to continue developments.

The pool presented its achievements at a meeting of Wotton-under-Edge Town Council as it completed its fourth season as a community facility.

The pool met with the council on Monday, November 17 and presented their accounts, pool ethos and information about refurbishments it has already undertaken.

The chairman of the pool, Alan George, said: “We know the only way to develop the pool is with grants and donations.

“Our keynotes are that the pool is safe, of a high quality, needs low maintenance and importantly, is fun for all. After all the work we have done, the pool has changed beyond recognition.”

The management has refurbished the pool’s sand filter, painted fences and changing rooms and installed donated solar panels which were used over the summer.

The council was concerned with the progress the pool has made so far, commenting on the installation of solar panels as a relatively small solution as it would take years to earn back the money they would have cost if they had not been donated.

Cllr June Cordwell said: “Money will not be there indefinitely to go towards the pool, you must go for grants. You cannot rely on the council for everything. You must look to the future for grant funding.”

The pool is considering a plan to improve the accommodation that will help the movement of people around the site and give better amenities to parents and families.

This would be funded purely by grants and fund raising, as the £28,000 per year paid by Wotton townsfolk is defined for running and maintenance costs.

Cllr Chris Galbraith said: “The council has to justify what it spends. We currently give £15 per household, and we know we have a moral obligation because we own the land and the pool but there are financial pressures.”

The pool currently has 50 volunteers working and operates as a non profit making organisation. It is owned by, and is in cooperation with the council as a community enterprise.

The pool treasurer, John Buist, said: “We are saving where we can and we know we need a new plan to go out to the grant market, and we need to agree how big and how little that should be. You can’t easily get funding for regular costs at the pool.”

The pool is now closed as the season has come to an end, and will reopen at the end of April 2015.

Mr George said: 'We are looking forward to opening again. In the meantime we are working hard on development plans to improve the changing rooms and provide arrangements for swimmers and their families to be more comfortable when they visit the pool.

“Once we have an established project scope we will be setting about raising government grants and other funds to finance it.”