CHARITABLE status has been won by the volunteers who run Ryde’s Waterside Pool.
The status places the pool on an even firmer footing nearly six years after it was taken over from the IW Council and run as a ‘not for profit’ company.
Trustees said since receiving a tiny start-up grant of just £16,000 from the council, it has grown to be a successful provider of leisure swimming, water aerobics, water yoga, school and individual swimming lessons.
It is the home of Ryde Swimming Club, an underwater hockey team and Ryde Cormorants.
In addition, it has a thriving membership and is the training base for Ryde town beach lifeguards.
Organisers said running costs were more than £1,000 a day, which was supported by revenue and funding from Ryde Town Council.
Trustees said they plan to announce improvement plans soon for both the pool and the canoe lake splash park, the latter beset by operating problems through failing infrastructure since it was taken over from the IW Council.
“Waterside’s future is secure and the trustees have plans to further develop the potential of both the swimming pool and the free-to-use and popular seasonal splash park,” said the trustees’ chairman Ian Jenkins.