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Council reveals new swimming pools for Halifax, Brighouse and Sowerby Bridge
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.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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