2:31pm Wednesday 2nd May 2007
By Hayley Court
Athena Leisure, the company that pledged to save Calne's White Horse Leisure Centre, has backed out of rescue plans leaving the pool doomed to close permanently.
North Wiltshire District Council threw out the last rescue bid by the fledgling leisure company, saying the plan didn't meet the necessary requirements.
Athena Director John Brennan said: "As the people of Calne are aware we have over the last few months been in discussion with representatives of the NWDC in relation to proposing a business plan for the continuance of the usage of the White Horse leisure Centre by the Local Community.
"We have now been informed by the NWDC that our latest proposal has again been rejected and having given the matter detailed consideration Athena Leisure has decided it is not in the interests of the community to protract the matter any further and must therefore accept that our efforts to save the Centre regretfully must now come to a conclusion."
Residents claim the pool has been left to form algae and turn green, a claim the district council vehemently denies.
A spokesman said: "I can confirm that reports about water going green with algae in Calne are incorrect. It must be pointed out that if the pool is to be re-opened then a full water quality check will be carried out to ensure it meets the necessary standards for bathing and the necessary actions taken to adjust the treatment system before members of the public will be allowed to use the pool.
"The water is clear and there is no algae present or green water."
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