AT a time when public swimming pools across the country are facing severe financial pressures, with many under threat of closure, Settle Area Swimming Pool is taking a number of measures to help protect its long-term future - including putting its prices up for the first time in almost three years.

The community-funded pool has faced a series of price hikes in recent months. Gas bills have risen four fold over the past year. Insurance premiums have gone up drastically and like everyone else the pool is facing double digit inflation on a range of costs.

In December 2020, its monthly gas bill was £1,160, in December 2022 it was £7,136. This was subsided by the government, which brought it down to £4,421. From April 2023 the government subsidy will be drastically reduced.

In response, it has already applied for support from the government fund to help pools that was announced in the March budget. A detailed review has been undertaken to see how it could both reduce its carbon footprint and cut costs. As a result plans are afoot to improve the insulation of the older part of the building.

Fund raising is now underway to pay for new solar panels to add to those installed last year. These have already helped keep down the pool’s electricity bill. The team taking part in the May 14 dragon boat race at Coniston Hall, Coniston Cold, will be raising money for the new panels.

The pool is also looking at the possibility of following the widely publicised case of a swimming pool in Exeter that has teamed up with a local data processing centre to use the excess heat generated by their equipment to heat the pool’s water.

A pool spokesperson said: "Despite all these measures the trustees have also been forced to increase swim prices. From May 1 an adult swim will cost £6.20 with reductions for the over 60s, full-time students and children. These are the first price rises in almost three years.

"One long-term advantage that Settle pool enjoys over local authority funded pools is that it has the backing of a large team of dedicated volunteers who raise funds, principally through the charity shop and related on-line sales. In the first full year after covid restrictions were lifted this generated more than £80,000 for the pool. This makes all the difference to the pool’s finances.

"The pool trustees will be keeping a close eye on the financial situation over the coming months to determine what if any further measures are necessary to see that the pool stays afloat for the long-term."

Full details of all the new prices are on the pool website - https://www.settleswimmingpool.co.uk/swimming/prices/.