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Published:
July 21, 2008
New
Burnham-On-Sea Swim and Sports Academy opens for business
Celebrations
are underway at Burnham-On-Sea's new Swim and Sports Academy today
(Monday July 21st) as the facility opens for business.
Sara
Cox-Conklin and Mark Conklin have spent six weeks modernising
the Berrow Road facility since taking over its lease in May after
months of uncertainty about its future.
 Dozens
of guests attended a special re-opening event at the pool on Sunday
afternoon when Burnham Swimming Club members, pictured above,
joined in the celebrations alongside other swimmers, pool supporters
and council leaders.
During
a ceremony led by Cllr Neville Jones, who led the fight to save
the pool earlier this year, the Singing Children of Africa performed
the aptly chosen song 'I Have A Dream' in front of the guests,
who included Sedgemoor District Council Chairman Dennis Davey,
Sedgemoor District Council Leader Duncan McGinty and Burnham's
Mayor Peter Clayton and Mayoress Jo Burridge. Sara
and Mark thanked a long list of supporters who had managed to
secure the building's future.
Four
young swimmers who had won a competition to swim two lengths of
the pool - Samuel Manley (7), Phoebe Fleuriot (7), Dianna Njeri
(12) and Charlie Atwood (10) - diving into the pool for the first
time to officially launch it.
The
pool opened to the general public for the first time at 6am on
Monday (July 21st) and its new facilities include fully modernised
changing rooms, a new sports clothing shop called Multisport Retail
Kiosk, and a new cafe serving Starbucks coffee.
The
new balcony area above the pool has also undergone a £25,000
refurbishment and now boasts a row of exercise bikes and a range
of exercise sessions including pilates, yoga, body toning and
spinning classes.
A
series of taster classes will be run during August with a wider
schedule starting in September that will include water activities
such as water aerobics and aqua jogging. For more details, visit
the academy's website,
or phone 01278 785909.
Trying
out the new exercise bikes were Teresa Harvey of Sedgemoor District
Council, pool campaigner Tom Ashton, pool boss Mark Conklin, and
Sedgemoor District Council Chief Executive Kerry Rickards
Delighted
Burnham swimming pool supporters Tom Ashton and Mayor Peter Clayton
at the launch of the new Swim and Sports Academy
From
left to right: Cllr Anne Bown, Cllr Dennis Davey, Sara Cox-Conklin,
Cllr Peter Clayton, Mayoress Jo Burridge, with Deputy Mayor Cllr
Derek Cooper and his wife plus Cllr Neville Jones. Kneeling are
competition winners Samuel Manley (7), Phoebe Fleuriot (7), Dianna
Njeri (12) and Charlie Atwood (10).
Samuel,
Phoebe, Dianna and Charlie clambered onto the starting blocks
as they got ready to complete their two lengths.
The
Singing Children of Africa performed the aptly chosen song 'I
Have A Dream' during the opening ceremony
Among
the guests were Reverend Graham Witts of St Andrew's Church, Cllr
Dennis Davey and Cllr Arthur Thorogood
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