THE future of Cardigan Swimming Pool is starting to look brighter as it looks to put its past troubles behind it.

The town’s pool and gym complex has faced devastating financial cutbacks in recent years and struggled to stay afloat but Councillor Catrin Miles told a meeting of Cardigan Town Council that she now felt “they were on the right track”.

Cllr Miles said: "Pool trustees have gone through a settling-down period following several staffing issues and change of personnel.

“With the help of Wales Co-op, they are looking at putting the organisation of the pool on a firmer footing - perhaps a Community Interest Company or similar.”

Cllr Miles added that membership of the pool and gym had risen sharply from little more than 20 people to about 170

“Everyone is working hard to improve facilities and classes on offer at the pool and gym and the fact that membership has increased seven-fold is testament to this. I'll be happy to bring a monthly progress report back to Town Council,” she said.

“”There has been many difficulties but things are on a much firmer footing now. I feel they are on the right track.”

The pool’s battle for survival was boosted at the end of last year when it won a grant of £12,500 in the M&S Energy Fund Competition to go towards buying solar panels for the swimming pool, which will be placed on the roof.

“The solar panels have been fitted and will make a difference to the running costs,” said Cllr Miles.

Trustees of Cardigan pool have previously stated that the centre is more than just a pool but a vital part of the community. Generations of Cardigan residents have grown up learning to swim at the town’s pool.