It was announced today that RCT Council have been granted £3m of funding by the Wales European Funding Office for the renovation of the Lido at Ynysangharad Park, an announcement not welcomed by everyone.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Councillor Mike Powell and his colleagues have long campaigned for the renovation of the Lido, but oppose the current plans which will mean the removal of the paddling pool. He says
"Under most circumstances this type of cash injection would be very welcome, but this project goes against the wishes of the people of Pontypridd and takes away an equally important historic element of the War Memorial Park.
"This scheme is not a renovation. The new complex will bear no relation to the baths that people remember, and I fail to see how it will attract the numbers that the Council are talking about.
Why would people want to come to Pontypridd to swim in an uninspiring open air 25m metre pool, and add to the cost by paying for parking when they can go to other pools in the surrounding area that are indoor and where they can park for free?"
Pontypridd resident Amanda Jones is an active member of the SOS Pontypridd Paddling Pool group that was set up to fight for the retention of the paddling pool as part of the revamp. She says residents are angry at the attitude of the Council.
"The Labour administration have not listened to the community, and it is outrageous of Councillor Cannon to say they have. They blatantly ignored the results of the community poll in November where there was an overwhelming majority in favour of keeping the paddling pool.
"The Cabinet Members making all these decisions have not even had the courtesy to come and meet residents in person and discuss their concerns. It is disgraceful."
Prior to the Council elections in May 2012 the Labour party put out a press release stating that they had listened to residents'' views and would be retaining the paddling pool.
Councillor Powell, in whose ward the Park sits, added
"The Labour Party made a firm manifesto promise to the electorate that they would keep the paddling pool - it is there in black and white for all to see. Those who voted for them based on this and similar promises which have also been put aside must feel very let down."