A PETITION has been launched to try to save the paddling pool on Teignmouth seafront from closure.
A report on the pool, owned by Teignbridge Council, recommends closure because it would cost £50,000 to modernise the filtration plant.
The council's executive meets on Monday to discuss the recommendations, which also say that other uses for the area should be examined in consultation with Teignmouth Town Council and the Teignmouth Regeneration Group.
Experts say that the pool water turnover rate is over three times the maximum recommended time, and that existing filters are totally inadequate.
There is no surface draw-off from the pool, so the majority of surface contamination remains in the water. As well as seagulls contributing to contamination, the washing of dogs after walks on the beach has become even more of a worry.
The report says that the council's environmental health department and the health and safety officer are concerned at potential risks.
It adds: 'The council has a duty of care and corporately it is deemed that the risk of contamination is too great to continue to operate.'
At Tuesday evening's meeting of Teignmouth Town Council, the mayor, Cllr Vince Fusco, confirmed that a petition against closure had been started in the town.
He appealed for the views of town councillors, and said that he and fellow district councillors would attend the executive meeting to oppose closure.
'That pool is part of Teignmouth's heritage and I used to go there with my young children,' he said. 'I don't know why there is a problem now.'
Cllr David Cox said that he had fond memories of the pool, 'but we live in a litigious society, and it would cost £50,000 to put right'.
He believed that the pool should be taken up by the regeneration project, 'as they're looking at the whole of the Den. We have to be careful, there's a price to pay.'
Cllrs Mary Strudwick, Geoff Bladon and Chris Whitlock agreed that the pool should be included in the regeneration project.
'There is obviously a serious problem with the pool, and I said two years ago that it should be turned into a better facility for the youth of the town, such as a skateboard park,' said Cllr Bladon. 'They want to be on the seafront.'
Cllr Roy Phillips said that Teignbridge Council had had 12 years to think of a solution, and all they had come up with was a recommendation for closure. 'Until it comes up with something better I think it should be kept open,' he said. 'After all, it spends £1.5 million on their leisure and tourism department.'
Cllr David Weekes said that he was astonished.
'That pool has been a godsend to thousands of young people,' he said. 'The Den is the most visited amenity by all of Teignbridge's young people, from all over the district, and Teignbridge Council has the responsibility for it.'
He admitted that there were concerns about the water quality, and he did not know how to keep birds away.
'But we can't lose that facility, it's part of Teignmouth as a seaside resort,' he said.
Cllr Dick Petherick said that it was a sad reflection on the efficiency of Teignbridge Council that it recommended closure without any alternative.
'I'm concerned that if it closes the pool it will become another eyesore on the seafront,' he said. 'Cllr Weekes is right. The pool is a much-loved facility in the town and we have too few of those. They'll want to close the Lido next.
'It should come to Teignmouth Town Council for consultation before anything else is done.'
Cllr Sylvia Russell said that the pool was free, as was the children's play area, but both were 'in dire need of upgrading', as were the toilets.