Plans to reopen Brechin’s much-loved paddling pool two years after it was closed by Angus Council have been described as being “well advanced”.
Community venture the Inch Maintenance and Preservation Society (Imps) aims to reopen the pool for next year’s summer holiday period.
They also want to improve the wide recreational area at the Inch Park, or “Papery” as it is known to Brechiners, in the long term.
This has been closed off during the ongoing flood prevention scheme works, due to finish in March.
The paddling pool was the subject of a well-publicised campaign to prevent its closure due to spiralling costs.
Imps spokesman Mark Arbuthnott said: “Due to the hard work of the campaign we were able to establish that the cost of running the pool was a fraction of what the council had quoted but still too high to be viable as a community-led facility.
“As Imps we have been able to look at the costs of the pool and gain permission to alter some aspects of the pool operation which will drastically reduce the costs of running the pool and make it not only viable but sustainable.
“We have taken inspiration from other groups such as the Abercynon Memorial Paddling Pool group who worked together with their local council to reopen their paddling pool.”
The paddling pool is one of a number of developments being mooted for this part of the town which could see a regeneration of the River Street and Nursery Park neighbourhoods.
Brechin is enjoying a rejuvenation of its community with groups springing up to push forward many community events and projects.
Council chief executive Richard Stiff wrote to the group to confirm there were no plans to demolish the paddling pool and plans to demolish Meikle Mill toilets were no longer being pursued.
Mr Arbuthnott said: “Imps has since been working closely with the communities department of Angus Council to put together a robust business plan for the paddling pool to secure its lease.
“Work to repair the pool should commence some time in May 2016.”