Public help spurs £1.2m Richmond Swimming Pool restore plan

A £1.2m swimming pool restore programme is to be thought of following a present of public help for a council-owned facility closed after a partial ceiling collapse.

Richmond Swimming Pool has been shut the incident in April and an investigation later uncovered constructing infrastructure points would require intensive restore work.

A public session launched by North Yorkshire Council (NYC) in June, to gauge the views of those that use the pool, acquired extra than 2,200 responses.

The council mentioned the “strength of public opinion” had prompted a proposed bundle of remedial works, to make the ability secure to reopen.

Councillor Simon Myers, whose tasks at NYC embody leisure providers, mentioned: “From the outset, we have listened to the public’s views about the leisure provision on offer in Richmond.”

“What was clear from the survey was that Richmond Swimming Pool is a valued part of the town, serves the local community, and plays an important role for local swimming clubs.

“We recognise the strategic want for the location to stay in Richmond and we ideally need the services to reopen as quickly as doable.”

A council spokesperson said a consultation into the future of the pool saw residents express “sturdy emotions about its potential closure and widespread help for reopening the ability after important repairs”.

The spokesperson said a series of options had since been assessed by the authority which included “enterprise solely the important works wanted, finishing wider enhancements similar to redeveloping the altering rooms, and shutting the centre altogether”.

The preferred option to be presented by officers was to “undertake a bundle of important works to the pool at a price of practically £1.2m”, they said.

If the plan is approved, it is hoped the centre would reopen within the first half of 2026.

The choices are set to be thought of by members of the council’s govt on 7 October.