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Meeting with Andy Parsons held on 13/03/19 at Siblyback Lake

Following the well-attended public meeting held at Commonmoor on Saturday 9th March 2019, seven representatives of the watersports users met with Andy Parsons Chief Executive of South West Lakes Trust at Siblyback Lake on Wednesday 13th March.

Mr Parsons made it clear early on that he will not reverse the decision to close the Outdoor and Active centre or Campsite for the 2019 season.

Representations were made by the users to continue allowing members to use the lake under the "Buddy System". This is a safety based system where as long as two separate water craft are on the water at one time, members could sail or windsurf when the centre is closed. Mr Parsons agreed to consider this idea and to respond with an answer by 22/03/19.

Other interesting points from the meeting:

  • The closure is intended to be temporary. Watersports may be offered again but in a different form which the SWLT needs time to consider
  • It seemed SWLT had underestimated the strength of feeling of lake users and had hoped to just quietly close the facility
  • The Outdoor and Active Centre was losing approximately £20,000 per year
  • A "Steering Group" is under way within the SWLT to see what form watersports at the lake will take in 2020
Siblyback Lake Outdoor and Active
Watersports users at Siblyback in happier times

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