A COMMUNITY-run swimming pool in Narberth is appealing for public and business support as it works to secure the future of one of Pembrokeshire’s most important local facilities.

Narberth Swimming Pool, operated by charity Swim Narberth CIO, has outlined plans for a £338,000 sustainability and improvement project designed to protect the building, reduce energy costs and ensure the pool can continue serving the community for decades to come.

The pool was saved from closure in 2014 after a major community-led fundraising campaign and has since grown into a vital local asset. Today, it supports more than 500 children and 1,000 adults every week, delivering swimming lessons, school sessions, inclusive and disability-friendly swimming, and health and wellbeing activities for people of all ages.

Winning a recent Swim Wales Award, and being the only swimming pool in Pembrokeshire to hold the Swim Wales Learn to Swim accreditation, has cemented Narberth’s position as a key swimming and community facility in Wales.

Chair of Trustees Chris Walters said the next phase of the pool’s journey is about safeguarding what the community fought so hard to protect.

“This project isn’t about expansion or luxury upgrades,” he said. “It’s about keeping the doors open, the water warm and the building safe.”

A central part of the project is the replacement of the pool’s roof, which was never fully completed when the charity took over the facility more than a decade ago.

The project also includes installing a modern high-efficiency air-handling system and upgrading the pool’s existing solar photovoltaic panels. Together, the improvements are expected to reduce energy use by over 30 per cent, cut carbon emissions and significantly lower long-term running costs.

Swim Narberth CIO has applied to the Welsh Government Community Facilities Programme for £300,000 towards the works and must raise around £40,000 in match funding to unlock the grant.

Fundraising efforts are now ramping up, with Pool Manager Alice leading the coordination of events and initiatives. The charity is approaching both local businesses and national organisations, recognising the limited timeframe to secure the match funding.

Chris said: “We’re asking businesses to consider sponsoring the pool in some way. In return, we’re committed to giving something back, whether that’s recognition, promotion or community engagement.”

“For anyone with slightly deeper pockets,” he added, “we’re offering a free company swim session for around 25 employees in return for a minimum donation of around £1,000 — it’s a great team-building activity and supports a really good cause.”

The charity hopes to see the same community spirit that saved the pool in 2014.

“Without this investment, there’s a real risk that the pool becomes increasingly difficult to sustain in the future.”

Swim Narberth CIO will be sharing regular updates on fundraising activities and progress in the coming weeks. Anyone wishing to get involved or support the appeal can follow swimnarberth on Facebook, or donate via https://gofund.me/447a446d7. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to contact [email protected] or [email protected].