THE COGGESHALL COMMUNITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION

History

This story begins 40 years ago, when an enthusiastic and determined group of local residents came together and agreed that there was a need for a swimming pool in Coggeshall. Over the next few years, it required tremendous dedication and hard work to raise not only the funds required but also elicit donations of the time, expertise and materials that were essential to make best use of the money raised. Eventually, in 1987, the pool was completed and opened.

Achievements

Since it began providing a local centre for water skills, the offering has continued almost uninterrupted, apart from during the pandemic, until today. Up to 7 half hour swimming classes are run on each weekday evening and Saturday morning to provide tuition for approximately 400 young children, and it’s estimated that since the pool opened, 18,000 local children have learnt to swim and further develop their abilities at our pool. Daytime sessions are also provided for local primary schoolchildren, disabled groups and one to one lessons for children with special needs.

Extra Services

At weekends, private hire is offered to maximise further the use of the pool and increase income. In more recent years, training and refresher training of Pool Lifeguards has also begun and the location is now a Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS)) accredited centre for lifeguard training. 30 lifeguards have been trained at the centre and achieved their qualification.

Why We Need Your Help

Replacing and updating the heating and filtration plant is now overdue, but we have had to suspend this and use the funds originally set aside for this purpose to meet an unexpected cost of £57,000 for major roof repairs. As a result, a similar sum must now be raised urgently for new plant if the pool is to remain viable. If sufficient funds cannot be raised to complete this work before the existing plant becomes inoperable, then our pool will close for good.