BACKERS of a town swimming pool are being urged to take part in online surveys as part of a bid to secure its long-term future.
Targeted are community groups, users of Settle Pool and potential business partners in the next stage of a five-year business plan to save the cash-strapped facility.
Also lined up by the pool committee is a public meeting - a date has yet to be fixed - aimed at spreading the message to as many people in the community as possible.
Two online surveys are now live and can be accessed via the swimming pool website - settlepool.co.uk - or by the Friends of the Pool website - friendsofsettlepool.btck.co.uk
Hard copies of the surveys are available from the pool and other outlets in and around the Settle district and posters will be displayed at such points. The consultation is expected to last until April..
Recently the pool committee confirmed the appointment of sport and leisure consultants Strategic Leisure, which will look at the 40-year-old pool's revenue problems.
The crisis follows Craven District Council's removal of a £16,000 grant in a bid to combat its own financial squeeze. Lighting and heating the building costs £50,000, while maintenance bills are also rising.
A pool spokesman said the aim was to increase income and minimise costs while developing new activities and sources of funding.
The business plan costs will be partly funded by a grant from North Yorkshire County Council's Stronger Communities programme.
The pool is self-financing, and if it folded, Settle residents would face a 46-mile round trip to Craven Pool in Skipton.
It is a registered charity and there is an active Friends of Settle Pool group.
Craven Council has been working with Settle Pool staff for several months to give advice about sustaining its future, including support from the Craven Pool manager.
The aim is to make it as energy-efficient as possible to help bring down running costs.
For more information visit friendsofsettlepool, friendsofsettlepool.btck.co.uk and mydonate.bt.com/charities/friendsofsettlepool