Broomhill Pool Trust, 20 years.

Launched as the Friends of Broomhill Pool in 2002, the inaugural General Meeting of the Broomhill Pool Trust http://www.broomhillpooltrust.org was on (Weds) 3rd September 2003.

As the Trust officially celebrates its 20th year, it is appropriate to reflect on the extraordinary and epic campaign we have fought. Some understandably wonder what we have been doing all this time, yet as seen from the incredible events of the last 12 months, we have been active, engaged, and focused for every one of the last 20 years.

During these two decades we’ve worked in co-operation and partnership with three administrations at Ipswich Borough Council (changes in 2004 & 2011); supervised a £67,000 feasibility study (2006) which became central to the pool’s revival; led an National Lottery Heritage Fund funding bid in 2008 which although rejected provided valuable lessons; worked hand in hand with the Borough on an all options appraisal (2009). Lobbied two administrations across 2010/2011 resulting in an agreement from the Borough to commit £1m to the project; courted Fusion Lifestyle who entered into an agreement with the Borough to lead the project in 2011; supported Ipswich Borough and Fusion Lifestyle across 2013-15 as Fusion carried out full project, cost and business planning; worked in partnership as Fusion secured £180,000 in development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund; continued to lobby the stakeholders and secure public support as a total £7m of funding was guaranteed (IBC £1.5m, HLF £3.4m, Fusion £2.1m) in 2019.

The Trust has continued to lobby tirelessly throughout Covid & beyond (2020-2022), to keep stakeholders focused, retain confidence in the project, press for all avenues to be explored to bridge the funding gap. The Trust has been fully supportive of the stakeholders, has worked to keep the campaign fresh, relevant, publicly engaged and backed for over 20 years.

Broomhill Pool enjoys cross-party political and great public support because it was an outstanding asset for our town and because it will be again.