It has been a while since we last updated everyone as to our progress, but hopefully you will have seen our facebook page of Wayne from SPE Water Treatment sounding out the tiling at the pool. Who knew a man tapping a stick could be so entertaining but it’s had over 16000 views!

Wayne from SPE Water Treatment (who recently refurbished Melbourne swimming pool) testing the tiles on 3rd July 2025

Apart from the tapping Wayne, we have had other specialists visit to inspect the pool and equipment, in the shape of Chemsol and Sprayed Concrete Solutions Ltd. We are awaiting their figures, but encouragingly all are happy that the pool can be repaired and in terms of the plant (filters, pumps etc) it can be made more efficient.  

Lease

We are working with Herts County Council to obtain a lease for the building. Without this, we simply cannot proceed with our plan to repair, reopen and revitalise. Our updated business plan was submitted to the council in May. They have in turn, submitted it to an external consultancy as part of their due diligence process. We are and have always been confident in our plan and consider that what we intend to do and how we intend to do it is viable. We were hoping that following this consultation the matter of the lease, as one of a range of options including demolishing, would be discussed at the council Resources and Planning committee which met on 17th July. We were all set to attend and speak if necessary to promote the cause. Unfortunately the matter was not placed on the agenda for that meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for early October, so there would have been a slight delay. We have just heard however that following discussions between councillors and the leader of the council, it has been agreed that the decision on the lease can be taken at the Council Cabinet meeting rather than the Resources Committee. This means that a decision could be made as early as next month. We will keep everyone posted.

It should be noted that as far as we can tell, every option apart from granting us the lease would cost the council money at a time when budgets are under extreme pressure. We remain hopeful.