Always on
This project successfully funded on 14th June 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Fill Ward Freman Pool With Water
Buntingford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Aim
Bring the Ward Freman pool back to life with a new independent water supply.
The Issue
The Ward Freman pool was built in the 1970's as an addition to the Ward Freman School and was never intended to be a stand alone pool. As such the water supply is complicated and we need to establish a new independent water supply. (Thankfully the gas supply, coming as a later addition to the original oil fired boilers is separately metered.)
A new water supply is an expense that we had not considered and therefore not budgeted for in our original plan (we had assumed a water meter could be fitted to the existing pipes, but this is not the case).
Whilst we have raised funds to reopen the pool through the support of individual donors, fundraising events and grants we now need to raise an additional £12,000 to create a new independent water supply.
Why are we Crowdfunding?
When the pool was drained in Spring 2024, there were fears that the old tank might rise up and crack when emptied of its 83,000 gallons of water. So far the pool tank has held solid (as of last inspection in July 2025).
Thanks to our successful Crowdfunder campaign in December 2025 we raised £36,500 to repair the broken pool tiles and expansion joints.
We secured UK SPF money and a grant of £30,000 from Buntingford Town Council for a new filtration and chemical dosing system.
However it will all be futile if we can't fill the pool with water again.
How we will spend the money
We want to raise at least £12,000 to help fill the Ward Freman swimming pool with water.
- Initial assessment costs: £213 for Affinity Water to assess the current situation and plan a new independent water supply
- Installation of new water supply: Affinity Water have quoted £9154 to install a new water supply to the property boundary
- Connecting the new supply to the building: £2,000
- Filling the pool with 375 cubic metres of water: £700 through the water mains, or £13,500 via tankers if a mains connection cannot be established!
If the actual work costs less than budgeted any extra money raised will be used to fund additional work and equipment required to open the pool.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us - just click here to set up a fundraising page, our bank details are automatic, you just need to come up with a great fundraising idea. It doesn't need to be as adventurous as Helen Betley swimming open water butterfly around the island of Jersey, but could be a sponsored silence, only drinking water for one month, or relaxing in a bath of beans!
The Future
If we can raise this money and all the works go as planned we could see the swimming pool back in use for the whole community as early as September 2026! This means
- local schools providing swimming as part of their PE lessons
- learn to swim lessons for toddlers, children and adults
- the return of Buntingford Swimming Club
- aqua aerobics
And if we can't fill the pool with water, what about beach balls?
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made