Minehead Swimming and Leisure and Minehead Health and Wellbeing are two local community groups which are working in partnership to build a 25-metre, year-round swimming pool (potentially with a retractable roof) and a gym at the Minehead Recreation Ground on Irnham Road, for use by all in West Somerset. This new facility would form a “Community Leisure Hub” with the existing recreation facilities (community centre including fitness classes, tennis courts, multi-use games area, children’s play area, and adjacent bowling club).

The last, local authority run pool in Minehead, closed in 2008. The nearest public, indoor pools for the people of West Somerset are now in Taunton, Bridgewater, Barnstaple or Tiverton, making it difficult to access particularly for the elderly, large families, disabled people, or those in need of water based therapy, as well as people who just want a swim! The public want their pool back and we think it should belong to the people of West Somerset - that’s why, once built, the new pool and gym facility would be community-owned and run as a co-operative.

The gym would be available for the general public, as well as for the West Somerset GP exercise referral scheme, enabling it to develop its current, very well-subscribed offer.