Council consults public on future of swimming pool

Members of the public are being invited to have their say on the future of a council-owned leisure centre, after a partial ceiling collapse resulted in the closure of its swimming pool.

Richmond Swimming Pool has been shut since April, after further investigations discovered "historic issues" with the building infrastructure, which require extensive repair work.

North Yorkshire Council, which acquired management of the complex from Richmond Leisure Trust, is now inviting the local community to share their views on what to do with the site.

Councillor Simon Myers said the council "want to make sure that we gather as many views as possible from the public to help make an informed decision".

"All options are being considered and no decision has been taken, so I would urge anyone who would like to express their views to take part in the survey," he said.

The council said, in addition to the essential repairs required, other areas of the leisure centre have been deemed to be in urgent need of improvement, including replacing key pieces of equipment.

Proposed options for the site include:

• Undertaking only the essential works needed
• Undertaking essential work as well as some improvements, such as to changing rooms
• Re-thinking which leisure services are offered at the site
• Proposed alternative uses for the site
• Closing the centre

The council is expected to discuss the survey responses this autumn, and has said any decision it makes on the Richmond site will be taken "in the context of the wider work for the countywide leisure investment strategy".

Myers added: "The closure of the swimming pools is disappointing news for customers, the local community - and for us as well - and we apologise for the ongoing disruption, and thank them for their patience."

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