Outdoor pool too costly to reopen

The outdoor pool at Hendy was opened in the early 1930s

One of the last lidos in Wales is set to close for good after engineers said it was 'beyond economical repair'.

A report into the state of Hendy Pool found it would cost at least £100,000 to fix a collapsed wall and there were no guarantees against future problems.

Carmarthenshire council said it could not justify that outlay on the outdoor pool, that opens 12 weeks of the year.

But campaigners say they will continue to fight to re-open the lido which has been closed for the past two summers.

The council will have to prove conclusively there is no hope for Hendy Pool - we will fight on Derrick Lyon

The council commissioned the report by structural engineers to assess the viability of the pool, which was built in the early 1930s by unemployed tinplate workers.

Campaigners say it is a popular facility in the village and an important piece of social history.

But the report states: "Due to the extensive remedial works required, the pool is beyond economical repair and no certainty can be given regarding the medium to long-term effectiveness of such repairs."

Carmarthenshire's senior leisure manager Ian Jones said: "Although we know some members of the community will be disappointed, the council would not be able to justify spending that amount of taxpayers' money with no guarantees that the repairs would last.

"Instead, we are working on a proposal for other leisure facilities in the village and will be consulting with the community over these."

But campaign organiser Derrick Lyon has questioned the report.

He said there were local builders and builders' merchants in the area ready to give time and resources to their cause.

"There are many people prepared to help and the community has put forward fundraising ideas which puts a different light on matters," he said.

"The council will have to prove conclusively there is no hope for Hendy Pool - we will fight on."

Campaigners have organised a public meeting for 22 February at 1900GMT in the Urdd Hall at Hendy.