The 1927 Swim Challenge
I’ve committed to swim 1,927 lengths of WiveyPool’s 30-yard pool over the months of June, July, and August - that’s nearly 33 miles!
If you’d be kind enough to sponsor me, your support will help fund the creation of a multifunctional Pool House, a fantastic addition for the whole community.
Thank you so much!
WiveyPool's Vision: The Pool House
Now, as we approach our 100th anniversary, we’re looking ahead to ensure that WiveyPool remains a vibrant and welcoming space for years to come. We want more people to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of swimming - whether it's learning to swim, meeting friends, or simply enjoying the water. That’s why we need to create a multifunctional Pool House, designed to enhance the experience for everyone who visits and extend our opening season.
The Pool House will provide:
- A communal warm sheltered space for swimmers and spectators to congregate
- A safe and engaging area where school children can develop essential lifesaving skills through our Rookie Lifeguard and National Lifesaving Academy programmes
- A dedicated training room for teachers, staff, lifeguards and volunteers
- A versatile community event space for gatherings and meetings
- An accessible toilet, for all pool visitors and users of the Recreation Ground
In April 2025, we submitted a planning application to Somerset Council for the creation of a multifunctional building - The Pool House. This new facility will be built on the existing footprint of our current shop/kitchen, and storage garages, which have been generously gifted to us by Wiveliscombe War Memorial Recreation Ground. Our design includes a dedicated entrance to The Pool House while retaining the current entrance to the pool, allowing both spaces to operate independently for different events when needed. Inside, The Pool House will offer a welcoming area with tables, chairs, and a servery, where staff and volunteers can provide refreshments to swimmers, spectators, and visitors. The space will also host our ‘dry-side’ lifeguard training and lifesaving courses and community events and meetings. If permitted, we hope to include a roof terrace, accessible from the poolside, where spectators can relax and enjoy views of the pool. One of the most exciting aspects of the project is the creation of a fully accessible toilet for all. Currently, users of the Recreation Ground have no access to public toilet facilities. Alongside our new pool hoist, this addition will make visits to the pool significantly more convenient and enjoyable for people with limited mobility.
Our Objective
The pool temperature sits at a comfortable 26°C (dropping to 18°C off-season), but outdoor conditions can swing from -3°C to the high 20s in a single day. Wind and rain add to the challenge of staying comfortable before and after swimming - especially for children, older adults, those with limited mobility, teachers, staff, and spectators.
Many of our lane swimmers (aged from 9 to 94) often gather post-swim for a chat over tea - forming friendships, sharing stories, and sometimes enjoying homemade cakes or sausage rolls. During open Come & Swim sessions, visitors relax poolside or watch from the deck. But while our open-air setting is a unique draw, poor weather often keeps people away.
Our limited facilities are a barrier to wider community engagement. Currently, we rely on gazebos to shelter swimmers, staff, and spectators from the elements. In addition, the absence of an accessible toilet is a significant issue for pool users and visitors to the Recreation Ground - including those using the children’s play area, skate park, sports clubs, and other local amenities.
The Pool House would offer vital protection and better working conditions for our staff, lifeguards, and volunteers. With proper shelter, WiveyPool becomes a more attractive place to work and volunteer, enabling us to extend the season, add more lessons, water-based classes and swim sessions to more people for longer.
The benefits of swimming go beyond physical fitness - being in the fresh air, socialising, and participating in group activities all support mental wellbeing and help combat isolation and loneliness. The Pool House will help realise our vision and extend the benefits of WiveyPool to more people in the community.
Timing
Ideally, we aim to have planning approval, funding, and a contractor secured by the end of summer 2025. To minimise disruption for our swimmers, construction of The Pool House needs to take place over the winter, ready for our spring 2026 opening.
The Cost
The estimated cost of the build is approximately £250,000. We have already budgeted £100,000 and are applying for grants that we hope will provide a further £90,000. This leaves us with a £60,000 gap - an amount we aim to raise with the support of our wonderful community to bring this exciting project to life.
Should we exceed our expectations, additional funds will go toward higher-spec, energy-efficient building materials and fitting out the Pool House with equipment such as a projector - ideal for training, meetings, and events.