A TOPPING-out ceremony has marked a milestone for the Dartmouth and District Indoor Swimming Pool.

Trustees, groups of school children, civic guests and supporters gathered at the site to mark the last beam being placed atop of the building.

Kier Construction is on schedule with the pool, which is due to open late summer after almost half a century of fund raising and community campaigning in Dartmouth.

Dartmouth mayor Rob Lyon said the community had watched with enthusiasm as the pool has taken shape.

‘There are people here who have contributed to the swimming pool fund over the last 50 years,’ he said.

‘For a coastal town it is essential that people learn to swim and feel safe and confident, both working and taking part in activities on the river.

‘We will soon be able to ensure that our young people get the opportunity swim all the year round. Dartmouth town is proud to be part of this development.’

Watched by a crowd of wellwishers, Sir Geoffrey Newman, chairman of the trustees, cut a string which sent three dolphin balloons soaring up to the height of the top beam.

At the same time a group of pupils from Dartmouth Academy year five released a number of eco balloons, each with a message asking the finder to make contact so the students could track how far they had travelled.

Academy principal Tina Graham said many pupils were already looking forward to their first swim.

PE teacher Luke Payne said pupils only get three hours swimming a term.

He said: ‘The pool will allow us to enrich the curriculum. We aim for every pupil to be able to swim before they leave primary school, but without a neighbourhood pool, this is really difficult. When the pool opens, everybody is going to benefit.’

Meanwhile, pool trustees continue with fund raising for the fitting out and start up.

Sir Geoffrey said: ‘Now people know that it is really happening and can see the pool taking shape, they are being very generous.

‘This will ensure that our pool will be equipped to the very highest standard when it opens.

‘People have offered to run events for us and help out in other ways. It is a real community effort and Dartmouth and the surrounding district should be very proud of what has been achieving.’

Despite poor weather throughout the winter, the build has remained on schedule.

Site manger Chris Jewell said the crew would now move to complete the internal works.

‘It’s at this stage that I start to see how the pool will look when it’s completed,’ he said.

‘There is still lots to do but from now on it is all about pulling everything together and providing a high quality finish inside and out.

‘Last week we successfully tested for water-tightness, which is a major hurdle passed.’

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed hospitality at the next door leisure centre.