THE largest freshwater outdoor swimming pool in Devon is one of the 91 schemes in England receiving a share of a £6-million National Lottery funding boost.

Chagford Swimming Pool has received £55,128 of funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund to heat the swimming pool to between 20C and 22C in summer.

Chagford Swimming Pool committee chairman Rachel Short said: ‘We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can continue to ensure that this lovely pool continues to be used and loved by everyone in Chagford and the surrounding communities as well as visitors to the area.’

The new heating system will use an air source heat pumping system and solar PV system to heat the 33 metre pool. The swimming pool has helped hundreds of young people learn to swim, and attracts wild swimmers from all over the UK.

Chagford Swimming Pool has until now been heated via solar covers which maintain the temperature and heat the chilly 16C water from the river each morning. The new heating system is not weather dependent and will ensure that the pool maintains a steady 20C.

Heating the swimming pool consistently brings many benefits, including enabling Chagford Primary School to continue with its use of the swimming pool almost whatever the weather. Countless children have learned to swim in Chagford Pool since the first foundation stones were laid by hand in 1934.

MP for Central Devon, Mel Stride, said: ‘This is wonderful news for an outstanding local amenity. A very special place — the county’s largest freshwater pool set in stunning surroundings. It is especially good news that the pool will be able to stay open longer once this work on the new heating system has been completed so allowing even more people to benefit from it. All those who work so hard to support the pool should be congratulated on their efforts. I look forward to the prospect of visiting the pool again soon.’

The pool is built on land leased specifically for the construction of a swimming pool from the Haytor-Hames family, who to this day still generously support the facilities. Chagford Recreational Trust and Chagford Parish Council fund lifeguards who are trained each year while children are taught basic life-saving skills.

The money comes from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund, which was launched in 2011 and has invested over £100-million in nearly 2,000 projects since its inception.

Sport England property director Charles Johnston said: ‘The Inspired Facilities fund has had a huge impact on grassroots sport across the country. Since 2011 we’ve invested £102-million into more than 1,920 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into vibrant community sports clubs.

‘It’s great to see Chagford Swimming Pool join the long list of successful clubs to benefit from National Lottery funding.’

In 1998 the pool undertook a vast renovation to ensure that it maintained health and safety standards, and a children’s paddling pool and solar covers were installed. Only two years ago the pool had a new liner installed. This significant investment from Sport England is just the next step in what can only be a bright future for the pool.

The pool gave swimmers the chance to enjoy its refreshing waters one last time last Saturday before it is closed for the winter and the new heating system is installed. It will re-open in May for the summer season.