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Olympic Pledge for Rasen Pool
Tuesday 11am RASEN will get its swimming pool by the London Olympics year of 2012 – that is the pledge of West Lindsey leader Coun Adam Duguid.
Coun Duguid, who represents Market Rasen on the district council, said the new pool will be open by 2012 on the site of the existing Louth and Market Rasen Rugby Club in Willingham Road, with just one proviso – that he is re-elected in the May elections.
The rugby club will be moving to new facilities across the road, with a new clubhouse, three pitches and a car park.
Coun Duguid set money had been set aside for the pool project.
"We have 2.4 million for the building costs and 1.25 million for running costs, which should last for a substantial period of time," he said.
Coun Duguid said he was aware not everyone would like the idea of a lido scheme, rather than a fully enclosed building, as had been originally planned.
"That building would cost in the region of 5 million to build and would cost a further 250,000 per year to run," he said. "The last time such a design was proposed it was soundly rejected by councillors from other parts of the district.
"My experience. . . has led me to believe that if we put such a proposal on the table again, it would again be rejected (and) the town would end up with no pool at all."
He said the 25 metre four lane lido-type pool with retractable roof, gym and children's wet play area, would be a lower-cost project and the cost would be acceptable to the majority of his colleagues on West Lindsey District Council.
"It is an exciting scheme and is unique in the area. I believe it will attract more people to use the facility, especially in the summer."
"I accept fully not everybody shares my enthusiasm and I know from experience it is absolutely impossible to please everybody all the time," he added, "but I hope the people in the town and surrounding area will support the scheme."
However, there was little enthusiasm for the lido scheme from Market Rasen Mayor, Coun Ken Bridger.
"This pool has been used as blackmail for as long as I can remember," he said. "West Lindsey has a number of excellent councillors from both parties, who are committed to fair play.
"The council is a body and every elected person on that council has the right to vote as he or she feels fit, without being used as a pawn to satisfy one person's ambition.
"If it has come this, then they can keep their pool. Market Rasen deserves the pool on merit."
It is understood contractors will start on site this autumn.
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Weather for Market Rasen
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to -2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
