Thanks to a handy cut through from Penrith’s Thacka Beck nature reserve, the residents at the north end of Penrith now have a new £1 million community swimming pool and activity centre right on their doorstep.
“Dreams do come true, you just have to work hard and believe you can do it,” Jacqueline Levene, a director of Woggle Goggle Swimming School told the Herald ahead of the facility’s opening on 17th April.
Although she is a qualified primary school teacher, swimming has been Jacqueline’s passion since she was a youngster.
And together with her husband, Ben, she approached Penrith building firm Atkinsons with the idea of creating a swimming pool and activity complex on the town’s Gilwilly industrial estate.
Ben explained that the couple used to have an office on the estate, which is how they got to hear about the land becoming available on the Gilwilly estate where the pool has been built.
“Eight years ago we used to sit there thinking, do you know what, that would be an ideal place for a swimming pool,” said Ben.
Barry Turner, of Atkinsons, has worked with them over the last four to five years to make their dream become a reality.
“They have totally understood that it is for the benefit of others,” said Jacqueline.
“Barry understands Penrith more than anyone and he has seen that Penrith needs something like this and that is why he has got behind it,” said Ben.
Having been previously based at Jubilee House, at Eamont Bridge, home of The Fire Fighters Charity, for 11 years, Woggle Goggle Swimming School members got their first taste of the new purpose-built facility from Monday.
As well as support from Atkinsons Builders, Ben and Jacqueline have also been helped by a £124,000 grant from the Rural Payments Agency, which covered 40 per cent of the cost of installing the swimming pool.
As well as swimming, there will also be a full programme of activities, from underwater sea scooters to big inflatables and water dodge ball, on offer at the centre.
“There is a lack of public swimming facilities in Eden in general and there always has been,” said Ben.
He explained that while the Woggle Goggle swimming pool and activity centre was for members only, it is “not an exclusive thing”.
“We are making it affordable for everyone. The reason we want it members only is so we can manage the numbers.
“I am expecting it to be popular because Penrith needs something like this, but we don’t want to let people down by saying ‘everyone come in’ and then not have room for everyone.”
After paying a small annual fee to become a member, users will be able to book in and pay per session.
Monthly swim-only passes will also be available as well as family memberships.
“We want as many families to sign up for memberships as possible with two adults and up to four children all at the same address. The idea is that if an adult wants to come for a swim before work at 6.30am in that family, they can go for a swim on their own,” said Ben.
The close proximity of the nature reserve is also a boon for schoolchildren in Eden, said Ben.
“The transportation costs when they do swimming lessons is horrific. Schools probably spend more on transport than they do on swimming lessons.”
“Rather than hiring three or four minibuses and going back and forth, they can pretty much bring the whole school to us and stay for the full day.
While one group was in the swimming pool, another class could be working in one of the on-site activity rooms.
In addition, the nearby nature reserve means there is an opportunity for staff and pupils to go out and use it for a nature or geography class, he added.
“When we get the cafe going they can have their dinner on site or they can bring their own sandwiches,” said Ben.
Already booked in are pupils from schools including Alston Moor and Long Marton.
Learn to swim sessions are available for babies right up to adults in their 80s and 90s along with those with disabilities and special needs.
Ben said he wants the whole community to get involved and for the new pool to be as accessible as possible.
“I don’t want to miss anyone. I want the elderly to feel like they can come in and use the pool when they have got a bit of quiet time,” he said.
Jacqueline added: “They can have a coffee and a cake and we also have exercise classes for that generation as well.
“They can do gentle aqua fit sessions and seated exercise to music classes and they can come and have a nice swim. They can also have an instructor-led swim session — a lesson where they are in the pool just keeping fit.
“For the parents and toddlers who come to the weekly and weekend sessions, we will eventually start having toddler sessions in the kids’ club room as well.
“They can go and play with toys while parents can be together and sit and talk,” said Jacqueline.
She added: “There is nothing more important than having a bit of time for people.
“That is what it is about — looking after people.”
Jacqueline and Ben, who live at Kirkby Thore, have four children, Roald (12), Amelie (10), Rafe (five) and Mylo (nine months).
