A pool for special needs swimmers has reopened with a splash.
The Mencap Jubilee Pool, operated by the Hillingdon South Society for Mentally Handicapped Children, was officially reopened by Fiona Castle – the widow of entertainer Roy Castle, who had performed the original opening in 1981.
The £120,000 refurbishment included a new wooden canopy over the pool itself.
“It was a lovely evening and everybody was very impressed,” said Dot Bryant, a volunteer. “The whole place has a lovely smell of new wood.”
Representatives of the Rotary Club of Elthorne-Hillingdon, The Butterflies fundraising organisation and Sainsbury’s Uxbridge – who have all supported the project financially – were there on Tuesday night, September 30.
The charity, which comes under the umbrella of mental health charity Mencap, was able to raise the bulk of the cash cash through grant applications from Sport England, Hillingdon Community Trust, The Garfield Weston Trust and The Bernard Sunley Charitable Trust, but there was a shortfall of about £12,000 which was raised locally through numerous fundraising activities.
The building was designed and managed by local architect Mark Baldwin and erected by local builder Kirk Clugston.
The pool, in the grounds of Hillingdon Manor School in Harlington Road, Hillingdon , offers members of the community with special needs a place to exercise, learn to swim and socialise.
Now the management committee is looking to secure fresh grants and raise more money to refurbish the changing rooms and build storage and office space plus a viewing area for parents and carers.
If you can help in cash or kind, call society secretary Anne Sellars on 07941 738984.
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