TRUSTEES who have been tirelessly working to restore a town's old baths as a community asset are encouraged by a recent "step forward."
The Leader has reported many times in recent years on efforts to transform the Old Buckley Baths site, next to Buckley Town Council.
It has been unused for almost two decades.
But Flintshire County Council’s Regeneration Team is seeking public opinion regarding the future of the building, with one drop-in event having taken place on Wednesday last week (July 17) and another due to take place today (Monday, July 22), from 12noon until 2pm at Buckley Library in the Precinct, Brunswick Road.
The events come after an "outpouring of public positivity and support for the building," evidenced by 1,289 responses to an online survey about the site.
All-in-all, 66 per cent of respondents felt that the restoration of the Old Buckley Baths building is very important for Buckley and 203 people have already expressed an interest in being involved in the development of a potential project to redevelop the building.
The survey will be live until July 23: www.givemyview.com/oldbuckleybaths
Councillors Carol Ellis, Mike Peers and Dennis Hutchinson - the three remaining trustees and directors of Old Buckley Baths Community Hall Ltd which owns the site - have previously spoken of the need for help.
And following the positive response from the public, Cllrs Ellis and Peers have encouraged anyone who may be interested in getting involved to attend the drop-in event.
Cllr Ellis said: "This has been a huge task and we have taken it as far as we can, as three individuals.
"To move it forward, we really need more people to get on board with us.
Inside the building (Staff) (Image: Staff) "We're looking for people with experience who can help in all different ways.
"I think it's a very important site for the town, and we're the caretakers of it - but it belongs to the people of Buckley.
"It's heartening that we've got Buckley Town Council and Flintshire Council involved now.
"We feel it's a step forward."
Cllr Peers said he was "encouraged" by the stats from the survey, adding: "With just three trustees, it's a lot.
"A number of people have already left their details and we have also taken this to the town council to try and encourage some of the town councillors to become trustees as well.
"We have pretty much exhausted what we can do now as three trustees; we've had a business viability study done, architects' impressions drawn up, historical and architectural surveys to show its condition.
"The initial response to the surveys show people want it to be a community hall for everyone to use, so we have the vision for it.
"What we need now is funding. We've made clear that without that, it's just going to sit there.
"In 2028, the building will be 100 years old. That's a good milestone to aim to get something up and running.
"It'll be a tough call, but we're asking for assistance - we do need some more trustees signing up."
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