Bebington’s Mathew Callanan wins travel company’s pool design competition

Jul 1 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

BEBINGTON’S Mathew Callanan made a splash when a travel company launched a national competition to find out what makes a cool pool.

The 11-year-old took up the First Choice challenge by designing his own perfect swimming pool and writing a letter to explain his ideas.

Mathew was one of seven young people selected to join the company’s “Cool Pool Board of Directors” at its head office in Luton.

The group spent a day at an indoor waterpark testing water slides and wave machines.

Then it was back to the boardroom to discuss what makes a pool great with the First Choice design team.

Mathew ‘s ideas and enthusiasm won him the competition’s top prize – a week’s all-inclusive family holiday to Turkey. Mathew, who attends Higher Bebington Juniors, said: “It was really good. I like designing things and I enjoyed meeting everyone else as well.

“They said they might use some of our ideas in a resort First Choice is going to make in Egypt.”

Mathew’s winning design featured activities to keep young swimmers busy, including see-through slides and a wave pool with sand around it, plus an obstacle course hanging over the water.

Mum Angela said: “The holiday was great.

“The hotel even had its own waterpark and Mathew and his brother Will, aged 14, spent the week testing all 36 water slides!”