Millom swimming pool hope for leisure centre
Last updated at 16:30, Wednesday, 23 January 2013
A CAR park could be transformed into a state-of-the-art swimming pool as part of a community’s £3m dream.
A committee has been set up in Millom to look in to the feasibility of Millom Recreation Centre housing a new swimming pool.
Former stakeholders of the Millom Swimming Pool Partnership and other interested parties met last week to discuss the initial proposals.
Among the ideas mentioned was placing the swimming pool inside the Lancashire Road centre or extending into its car park.
Councillor Brain Crawford, who was appointed chairman of the sub-committee, said: “The meeting was mainly to start the process and to go over what happened in the past and why it hit a brick wall, as well as what steps we can take to move it forward.
“Following the meeting we’ll now be looking at options of either building a swimming pool in the recreation centre or building it out in to the car park.
“Since the meeting I’ve been in touch with the Amateur Swimming Association, who are helping me work through a feasibility study.
“The new build is anticipated to be in the region of £3m at this stage.
“Once we’ve found out how much a study will cost we’ll be talking to various funders.”
The original Millom pool project was put on ice in 2010, due to financial problems.
And with the death of former Millom and Haverigg Economic Development Group chairman, Roland Woodward, in 2011, stakeholders feared the project had died with him.
Cllr Crawford, who is also a recreation centre director, is hopeful the pool development could form part of the recreation centre’s £600,000 expansion, which includes a new gym and a soft play area for children.
He said: “At the moment, the hope is that it will fit in with the planned extensions at the recreation centre, although, if we do go ahead with it, we’ll have to submit a modified planning application.”
Cllr Crawford said he also hoped the addition of a swimming pool to the recreation centre would make it a more attractive prospect to residents.
First published at 16:20, Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
never hapen town is dead just hasn't had decent burial
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This would be fantastic I could go for a swim after a hard days work at the nuclear power station at kirksanton before nipping over the bridge to barrow to do a bit of shopping. I can't wait
Posted by Jonny m on 31 January 2013 at 22:19