Demands made for new swimming pool facilities
COUNCILLORS ARE recommending to the authority’s Cabinet that the planned new Halifax leisure centre swimming pool should include equivalent diving boards and deep water to an existing baths earmarked for closure.
Cabinet member for Regeneration and Resources, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said the council was not yet at the stage of having a detailed conversation about what would be included in the proposed new leisure centre and swimming pool on the site of the town’s existing leisure centre at North Bridge.
And the existing pool building at Skircoat Road was currently subject to an application to have it listed with questions asked including should the building remain as it was, or just the mural listed as a work of art, she told Calderdale Council’s Place Scrutiny Board.
Board members were debating a 634-signature petition calling for the inclusion of diving boards and deep water which would be necessary for groups including national champions
Halifax Synchro Club to be able to carry out their activities at the new site.
Coun Scullion said finance was an issue because the council was primarily funding the project itself and money was very tight because of pressures the COVID-19 pandemic had brought – but the new centre was intended to the pride of Halifax and Calderdale, and people deserved a decent set of facilities.
Anne Hardy and Charlotte Hughes had spoken in support of the petition.
Charlotte, who leads Halifax Synchro Club and is also a diving instructor, said the current pool “brings in revenue – the pool is currently hired for competitions, grading days and so on and this can be factored into the new centre,” she said.
Coun Dave Young (Lab, Calder) said the board should recommend to Cabinet the boards and deep water should be included. “It would be a backward step if the new one offered less than the old one,” he said.
Coun Sue Holdsworth (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said Shipley or Leeds were the next nearest places with these boards and deep water.
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