In 1996 Hampton Pool Trust achieved full planning permission for a £2.3 m project to rebuild and extend the facilities at Hampton Pool to give over half the building to a large gym and to build a fitness studio adjacent to the deep end. Unfortunately, the project was turned down by the Lottery as open air pools were excluded from lottery funding on the basis that they were not open all year round.

Despite being prevented from executing the grand plan, in 2004 - 2006 the Trust used what resources they could pull together from reserves, grants and soft loans to reline the tank, refresh changing rooms and create a small fitness studio. These improvements helped to ensure the survival of Hampton Pool as a community asset. In 2007 the Trust entered into a management agreement with the YMCA to provide more professional management of the facility to protect Hampton Pool for the foreseeable future. Both investments prove worthwhile and since 2006 Hampton Pool has gone from strength to strength, numbers using the pool have increased to 255,253 in 2014.

Read more: Realising the 1996 dream

Hampton Pool is a not for profit company and is about to embark on the biggest phase of improvements since being saved by the community from closure 30 years ago. The Summer Picnic Concerts help raise a great deal of money that contributes to safeguarding its future. However, the planned improvements will require raising a lot more and we are looking for financial contributions from significant donor and funder organisations.

The London Marathon Charity Trust could offer us a grant if we meet their criteria. We need to prove to them all the benefits this facility offers to the local (and wider reaching) community. Your support of Hampton Pool Trust's application by sharing your passion for the pool by filling in the short questionnaire at the link here is greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Mark James
Hampton Pool Chair