Triathlon attracts athletes from all over country to West Somerset

WEST Somerset’s third annual triathlon next month will again be hosted by the district council at its Aquasplash leisure centre, in Minehead.
The event will take place on Sunday, July 22, and again is already nearly full with athletes from all over the country taking part.
The council’s leisure and community service officer, Matt Stevens, said: “The event nearly reached capacity last year and there are only limited places left in this year’s event.
“Anybody who wants to compete will have to get their running shoes on and contact me as soon as possible, as places are filling up fast.”
Contestants swim 400 metres in the centre’s pool, cycle 23 kilometres to Porlock and back, and then run 7.5 kilometres to Dunster Beach and back to the finish line on the common opposite Aquasplash.
The triathlon has male and female categories at junior, senior, veteran, and super veteran levels, as well as a vintage veteran category for the over 60s.
Mr Stevens said: “We are also on the look out for marshals to help the competition run smoothly on the day, and we have a competitive range of great sponsorship deals on offer.
“If local businesses wish to back the event, they will be advertised on the athletes’ shirts and in publicity.”
Council leisure, culture, and recreation portfolio holder, Councillor Neil Parbrook, said: “This is a fantastic showcase for West Somerset as it attracts regional and national athletes.
“People of all ages compete in their own specialised categories, which also gives the event a great community feel.”
Anybody who would like to compete in, marshal, or sponsor the event should contact Matt Stevens at West Somerset Council on 01643 703704, or email mstevens@westsomerset.gov.uk.
More information is also available on the council’s website by logging on to www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/triathlon.
Photo submitted.

Free offer to use Aquasplash facilities this weekend

AN opportunity to sample the Aquasplash, Minehead, leisure pool’s newly refurbished facilities free of charge is being offered to residents and visitors at the weekend.
People can try out the facilities between 11 am and 3pm on Saturday, May 5, without having to pay.
The centre’s health complex has recently undergone a £30,000 refurbishment, while the pool area will be hosting live music from 'Strawberry Jam', a bouncy castle, and Quaywest fm will broadcast live from the event.
Aquasplash operations manager Paul Morgan said: “Sports enthusiasts and amateurs are welcome to sample some of the new equipment, such as X bikes which, unlike usual ‘'fixed’ exercise bikes, offer a full body workout while cyclists watch the ‘route’ they take on a television screen.”
The swimming pool with its new inflatable, 'Big Blue', will also be open, and there will be gym workouts, demonstrations, and competitions, while the health suite will be open to people aged 16 years and older.
More information is available by telephoning Aquasplash on 01643 708000.
Photo submitted.

'Big Blue' wins Matthew a year 's free swimming in Aquasplash

SCHOOLBOY Matthew Legg, aged nine, has won a year’s free junior membership to the Aquasplash leisure pool in Minehead.
The prize was given for choosing the best name for the pool’s new inflatable attraction in a competition run during the February half-term holiday.
Matthew, who is a pupil in Minehead First School, named the challenging new fun inflatable ‘Big Blue’.
He was presented with his membership by Aquasplash operations manager Paul Morgan, and said: “It is great to win. I am going to get really fit now.”
Mr Morgan said: “There were a lot of good entries, so we listed the suggestions and kept the names secret so that the winner could be fairly selected.
“We are delighted with the name and look forward to welcoming Matthew as a regular to the pool.”
Matthew will, under the terms of his junior membership, also be able to enrol on junior X bike sessions in the gym which are planned for half-term at a reduced rate for members.
Mr Morgan said: “The gym at Aquasplash has recently undergone a fantastic £30,000 refurbishment and Matthew will have the opportunity to enjoy the pool and, if he wishes, the brand new X bikes and television screens which bring the biking experience to life.”
Big Blue is in use at the Aquasplash pool every weekend between 12 noon and 3 pm.

• Our photograph shows Paul Morgan presenting Matthew Legg with his Aquasplash membership certificate in front of Big Blue. Photo submitted.

Name the inflatable and win a year's Aquasplash membership

YOUNG swimmers are being offered an opportunity to win a year’s general membership of the Aquasplash leisure pool, in Minehead.
The West Somerset Council-owned pool has a brand new fun inflatable to replace its old ‘Mars Attacks’ and is offering the prize in return for giving the inflatable a name.
Council leisure services manager Janice Malarkey said: “The new inflatable is an assault course on water ending in a waterslide.
“It is good fun as well as a new challenge for our younger users this half-term.
“The inflatable currently has no name and it would be great if one of our customers could name it.
“Hopefully, they will be inspired once they have tried it.”
The competition runs for the whole of half-term week, from Monday, February 19, to Saturday, February 24, when the inflatable will be available from 12 noon to 3pm.
To enter the competition, swimmers need to be under 16 years of age. Entry forms are available from the Aquasplash reception.
After half-term, the new inflatable will be available every Saturday from 12 noon to 3pm.

• Our photograph shows the old 'Mars Attacks' inflatable in use at Aquasplash. Photo submitted.

Triathlon needs a £700 business sponsor

SPONSORS are being sought by West Somerset Council’s leisure team for one of the district’s top sporting events, the Minehead Triathlon, which is to be held at Aquasplash on July 22.
Leisure officer Matt Stevens, who organises the event, said: “This year we are offering a great package for a main sponsor as well as our usual packages for support sponsors.
“The main sponsor’s name will be used in conjunction with the event name in all publicity linked to the triathlon and will also feature on the front of the athletes’ shirts so it is a fantastic opportunity - all for a very reasonable £700.”
It is the third year the council has organised the popular event, which centres around the Aquasplash pool and gym complex.
The triathlon combines a swimming challenge, a cycle race to Porlock and back, and running to and from Dunster Beach.
Mr Stevens said: “There is still plenty of space for our other sponsors with prices ranging from £50 to £400 with businesses’ logos appearing on the back of athletes’ shirts.
“All sponsors get mentioned on the website, in advertising, and in the race pack handed out to competitors on the day.”
The council’s leisure, culture, and recreation portfolio holder, Councillor Keith Ross, said: “This is great value-for-money advertising for local businesses.
“The triathlon has gone from strength to strength. It had 156 entrants two years ago, 186 last year, and we are pretty sure we can secure a capacity field of 200 competitors this year.
“Not only does the triathlon bring these competitors, who may never have otherwise visited the area, to West Somerset, it also brings their families and supporters so it is fantastic for the local economy.
“I hope local businesses will support this event because it brings a lot of good publicity and custom to Minehead.”
Anybody wanting to sponsor the triathlon should contact Matt Stevens on 01643 703704 or email mstevens@westsomerset.gov.uk.

£30K refurbishment for Aquasplash despite closure plans

THE doomed Aquasplash leisure pool, in Minehead, is to undergo a £30,000 refurbishment of its gymnasium facilities.
West Somerset Council plans to close the loss-making pool and replace it with a new facility as part of a £32 million New Horizons health, leisure, business, and housing development nearby.
But first, it is spending £30,000 on sprucing up the centre and modernising some of its equipment.
The gym at Aquasplash is closing for two weeks to allow the work to be completed, from Friday, February 23, to Friday, March 9.
The council’s leisure services manager, Janice Malarkey, said: “As well as replacing all the carpets and redecorating, Aquasplash users will find all the television screens replaced and brand new X bikes installed.
“We are delighted we will be able to offer local fitness fans new and refurbished facilities.”
While the walls and woodwork will receive a new coat of paint, AG Flooring will be laying new carpets throughout the gyms and function rooms.
The gym machines are being re-upholstered and the health suite showers will be re-grouted.
Aquasplash supervisor Chris Gibbs said: “X bikes are similar to exercise bikes, but much better.
“Whereas exercise bikes are ‘fixed’ and only give a lower body workout, the handlebars on X bikes move from side to side so clients also get an upper body workout.
“Television screens will be installed in front of the bikes, so X bikers can watch DVDs which appear to take them on cycle rides or tracks, so it is as close as you can get to the real thing.
“Bikers can change the resistance on the bikes as the DVDs take them ‘uphill’. X bikes are great for full body workouts and the DVDs make it a lot more fun.”
Photo submitted.

Public opinions sought on Seaward Way development plans

AN informal information evening is being held on January 17 to give local residents an opportunity to have their say on a proposed of health and well-being development planned for a site off Seaward Way, in Minehead.
The proposed development includes a £24 million replacement for Minehead Hospital and a leisure centre which will encompass a replacement for the Aquasplash swimming pool as well as a range of other health facilities, plus business services, and some housing for local people.
The information evening is open to the public and takes place from 5 pm to 7:30 pm in the West Somerset Community College.
The public meeting is being arranged in order to inform local residents about the current proposal for the site and to consult on the leisure facilities which should be included in the proposed learning and leisure centre.
The evening will include full graphic displays demonstrating all aspects of the project, known as New Horizons, and the project steering group members will ask attendees about the specific facilities they want to see in the new leisure centre.
Evidence gathered at the information evening will help to influence future design proposals.
A strong attendance will also help to demonstrate local support for the project, which is critical for the securing the remainder of the funding for the project.
District council leader, Councillor Christine Lawrence, said: “This ambitious project is all about positive partnerships.
“It will demonstrate the power of effective partnership working between organisations coupled with the positive partnership forged with local people interested in securing first-class health, learning, and leisure facilities for the residents of West Somerset.
“We actively encourage everybody to attend this meeting because it is their opportunity to see what we are offering, and their chance to influence this development to ensure that it meets the needs of the whole community.”
Community college principal Nick Swann said: “Local people, including college staff, have worked for years to secure this groundbreaking project.
“Close community involvement will continue to be essential to its success. We welcome all local people who would like to give their views on the proposals.”
Minehead ward county Councillor Ian Galloway said: “This meeting will explain the exciting developments that we hope to bring to the site and will give local people a chance to have their say.
“That is absolutely vital in this project and we need to have facilities that meet the requirements of local people.”
County council portfolio holder for economic development, Councillor Paul Buchanan, said: “Engaging the public is an absolute priority for Somerset County Council with regards to this project.
“Demonstrable public support will have a positive effect on gaining future project-critical funding streams, so I hope many people turn out to have their say and influence the future of the Seaward Way site.”
New Horizons is a partnership between West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Primary Care Trust, and the West Somerset Community College.

Planning application for Seaward Way hospital, housing, and leisure development

AN outline planning application is being submitted for a £26 million range of health and well-being facilities off Seaward Way, Minehead.
The project, known as New Horizons, is intended to replace Minehead Hospital and the Aquasplash leisure pool, plus provide additional health and learning facilities.
It is a partnership between West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Primary Care Trust, and the West Somerset Community College.
Outline planning permission is now needed to allow the New Horizons steering group to apply to a range of authorities for funding streams which will be vital to the success of the project.
The plans allow for:

• A new Minehead Community Hospital to be built above the flood plain
• A sports and leisure complex to be shared by residents and West Somerset Community College
• A Skills and Enterprise Centre
• Housing for local people
• Commercial facilities for health and well-being related businesses

The planning application is expected to be considered by district council planning committee members early in the New Year.
The project concept plans will be made available for public inspection and comment.
West Somerset Council leader, Councillor Christine Lawrence, said: “I am delighted that our long-term support and hard work to get this project off the ground is finally coming to fruition.
“We will continue to work hard to secure first-class, modern health, welfare, and educational facilities for residents in West Somerset.
“With local support, these plans will underpin the development of healthy, sustainable communities and encourage economic growth in the area.”
Jan Hull, interim chief executive of Somerset Primary Care Trust, said: “This outline planning application is the next step forward in this exciting project.
“It is particularly pleasing to see the way that all organisations involved are working together to seek ways of progressing the New Horizons facilities.”
County council portfolio holder for economic development, Councillor Paul Buchanan, said: “This is a complex project where the partners will face big challenges to deliver favourable outcomes for the health and well-being of local residents.
“The county council is committed to engaging with local residents, interest groups, and other stakeholders throughout this project so we can develop the best package for the people of West Somerset.”