The public are being asked to help develop fundraising ideas that would help keep the Moray Hydrotherapy Pool in operation.
Earlier this year the pool in Forres was left stunned when Moray Councillors refused to extend funding for the pool amid claims that it was a “failing enterprise”.
The Moray Hydrotherapy Pool was opened in June 2011 after ten years of campaigning and fundraising led by Arthritis sufferer May Taylor. Prior to the opening of the Forres facility patients had to travel on a regular basis for their treatment to Dingwall.
Moray firm Springfield Properties built the pool free of charge while £260,000 to fit it out was collected through local fundraising efforts organised by Ms Taylor.
However, in February Moray Council decided not to continue their annual £20,000 funding subsidy for the facility on the casting vote of children and young people’s services committee chair Councillor Anne Skene.
Since then the public has again rallied behind the pool with over £4000 in donations – but more is required to keep the facility in operation with a public meeting to discuss future fundraising being called in Forres next week.
Chair of the pool’s board of trustees, Chris Combe, said that while they were delighted by the support they have received since the council decision they do not have enough members to carry forward many of the ideas that are being suggested.
He said: “We’ve had a lot of suggestions that are worthy of following up and we feel that the best way to do that was to hold a public meeting where supporters can come along and have their say.”
The meeting will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Forres Lesser Town Hall with anyone with an interest for the future of the pool invited to attend.