"OLYMPIC dreams could be shattered by the closure of Llangeinor Pool, according to the borough’s top swimming coach.

Phil Melhuish, head coach of Bridgend Swim Squad, said competitive swimming in the borough is in crisis because there are not enough pools and the squad can't get enough pool time. And that means the Olympic aspirations of top swimmers like Sara Lougher and Hayley Roberts could be in jeopardy, particularly if Llangeinor Pool does not reopen.

It was closed without warning at the end of 2007 for work on its heating system, but an inspection revealed a small quantity of asbestos beneath the insulation cladding in the boiler room.

The total cost of the work, including removal of the asbestos, is more than £25,000."

(Via Swimming: Drowning our Olympic hopes - icWales: .)

| Wales | 5 January 2008; 1:09:04 AM |# | | |