CAMPAIGNERS could mount a legal challenge and are warning that a massive protest movement will be unleashed to fight any move to close Minehead's Aquasplash leisure centre. A public meeting is already being planned for December 10 and furious users of both the pool and gym facilities - who have already collected a 1,000-signature petition - are pledging a high profile march on West Somerset Council's offices if the closure goes ahead. Protesters have already set up a campaign group - KAOS - Keep Aquasplash Open Support - and are busy rallying support for their cause. Meanwhile, Minehead and West Somerset Swimming Club chairman Colin Christmas warned this week that closure of the centre would almost certainly spell the end of the club, leaving 80 young swimmers - including some with national potential - high and dry. "This would be an absolute tragedy," said Mr Christmas. "I don't see how the club could survive and it will also have implications for local schools - swimming is a statutory requirement of the key stage two curriculum." Mr Christmas said if Aquasplash closed it would have a severe impact on the proposed New Horizons healthplex. "You might as well give up on New Horizons because people will have been without a pool to swim in for at least two years. It will be almost impossible to drum up support for a new pool - it will have melted away. "We have got some really talented youngsters in West Somerset and I am just appalled that this could even be considered." Mr Christmas said the swimming club brought in around £9,000 a year in income for Aquasplash and was a valuable community resource. "In the last few years our swimmers have gone on to represent Somerset's premier division club, Taunton, compete for the Somerset County ASA - the national governing body for swimming - and achieve regional and national medals." Although a temporary arrangement has been struck with Minehead's Butlins centre for the use of its pool, this is due to end within weeks as the holiday resort gears up for the Christmas season. Mr Christmas said other local pools in the district - all much smaller than Aquasplash - were invaluable as a means of introducing children to water. "But as anyone who knows anything about swimming knows, water-time in our area is already at a premium and already booked out in most facilities." Mr Christmas said the only alternative open to swimmers would be to travel around 50 miles to Taunton or Bridgwater. Any closure of the centre would also have a significant impact on a range of other user groups, including mothers and toddlers sessions, sub-aqua and water fitness and kayak training groups, as well as PALS, which helps heart and stroke patients and others with a range of physical disabilities. Michael Day, one of the driving forces behind KAOS and a member of PALS, said feelings were running very high. "People feel so strongly about this ," he said. "Closing Aquasplash would be totally the wrong decision for all sorts of reasons, not least because of the health and social aspects. "We will be looking at all sorts of ways in which this can be stopped, including mounting a possible legal challenge. "We will march, lobby our MP and even Parliament if we have to. "Our belief is that Aquasplash should remain open as a public facility until the new pool at New Horizons is open. "This may be financially difficult for the council but not impossible - if there is a will, there is a way." Mr Day said the council's current financial deficit represented a gross mismanagement of ratepayers' money and that Aquasplash should not be sacrificed to resolve the authority's difficulties. He said a groundswell of support was growing for the campaign to keep the centre open and its loss would have a profound effect on many groups and individuals. "Perhaps when the council's cabinet makes its incredibly serious decision on Wednesday it will reflect on our fundamental concerns." Mr Day said he had been contacted this week by Cllr Bryan Leaker, currently on holiday in Lanzarote, who has already voiced his concerns about Aquasplash. Cllr Leaker, who represents the Dunster ward on the district council, has said he is prepared to lead any march organised by protesters. Campaigners will be handing in their petition at Wednesday's cabinet meeting. The public meeting next Monday is scheduled to be held in the Queens Hall in Minehead at a time yet to be announced.