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Council reveals new swimming pools for Halifax, Brighouse and Sowerby Bridge



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Published Date:
23 January 2008
CALDERDALE Council is set to spend more than £6million on new swimming pools for Halifax, Brighouse and Sowerby Bridge.
Council leaders say they are ready to splash out on quality facilities and perhaps raise extra cash from the sale of the old pools.
The announcement comes only days after council plans for a pool at Sugden's Mill, Brighouse, were scuppered by a planning inspector.
Conservative council leader Ann McAllister (Rastrick) said: "We are determined to ensure people have swimming pools of a high standard."
The cabinet will be asked to begin designing 25-metre six-lane pools for Brighouse and Sowerby Bridge, on sites still to be determined and for a feasibility study to create a combined swimming pool and leisure facility at North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, to replace the pool at Skircoat Road.
That would also include a 25-metre, six-lane pool with a separate learner pool and a spa, but perhaps without a diving area.
Halifax Swimming Club chairwoman Mary McClung said her 200 members, aged five to 75, were looking forward to seeing the plans.
She said: "The existing pool is good for us and the only problem is getting enough time, because it is so well used.
"I would have concerns if it is to be used solely for leisure and I would hope there will be a diving area."
Former swimming coach Jill Massey said Halifax pool was the busiest she had ever been to.
She said: "People expect more these days and it is time it was replaced," she said. Halifax pool is only 42 years old but needs significant repairs and maintenance to the roof, ventilation and filtration system.
Experts say it is would be better value to start again.
Liberal Democrat group leader Janet Battye (Calder) welcomed the possibility of replacement pools, saying they were long overdue. "We have been pressing
for action on this for
years. Leisure facilities
are very popular and
the new pools need to be part of a workable plan for delivering leisure services across Calderdale."
Community services scrutiny panel chairman Mohammed Najib (Lab, Park) said Brighouse had been without a pool since summer 2006 and Halifax pool was showing its age. "They just don't meet today's needs and expectations and I support replacing them," he said.
Eileen Gray said she would continue campaigning for the old Brighouse pool to be restored.
"A town this size can't go on waiting for ever for the council to come up with plans for a new one," she said.
Sowerby Bridge Pool is over 80 years old and it has been suggested a replacement might be built on the site of the former open-air market in Station Road.
Amanda Byrne (Con, Sowerby Bridge), who has cabinet responsibility for community services, said: "The final decision on whether to approve the funding for these pools will be one for the council but my cabinet colleagues are determined they should be built."
The recommendation, to be put to Calderdale Council cabinet on Monday, leaves a question mark over Elland Pool.
It is more than 100 years old and is in need of a major revamp.

Courier Comment


The full article contains 537 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 24 January 2008 10:14 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Halifax
 
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1

Sarah1,

Treading water 23/01/2008 11:35:09
Fantastic. Just another nail in the coffin for Elland....
2

The Halifax 1,

Southowram 23/01/2008 11:51:14
Don't worry when Elland becomes a lake due to global warming you'll have your chance to swim.

I can't wait for Southowram to become an island. Knowing Brighouse and Elland are under water.
3

Sarah1,

Treading Water 23/01/2008 11:52:45
Ah Halifax 1 - Thank you.... I didnt think of it like that!
4

,

23/01/2008 12:06:52
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
5

HoSprky,

Sowerby Bridge 23/01/2008 12:33:45
Surely the price of building a new one is more than repairs?
6

ecirp,

at work 23/01/2008 12:35:24
When is Southowram getting a swimming pool then ? We normally have to go down through the woods and swim the length of Park road.
7

Burleighbob,

23/01/2008 15:22:35
HoSprky, patch up jobs only last so long. How old are these facilities? Halifax is the newset and must go back to the 60's if not further..... New baths will be more economical to heat, clean, and maintain.

I’m surprised that Halifax is on the list though, Elland pool has been under threat of closure for years and the facilities are poor, surely the need for a new pool at Elland is more than the need for a new one at Halifax..?
8

stiglet,

pellon 23/01/2008 15:44:21
if new pools are to be built look no further than the metrodome in barnsley. three slides, a 25 meter swimming area and seperate diving area and a wave machine. lets do it right if its going to be done. lets not just have a drab swimming pool with just lane swimming. the kids would love a wave machine etc. my understanding is nblc already has the plumbing done for a pool from when it was originally built but 5-a-side pitches were constructed in that area. does this mean the 5-a-side pitches will be removed?
9

Erema,

Brighouse 23/01/2008 15:47:20
Well done Councillor McAllister, now just remind me who is up for re-election in May, ha yes I remember now Councillor McAllister.
What a coincidence !!
10

,

23/01/2008 15:48:50
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
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