23 January 2008
RESIDENTS of Ripon and surrounding villages are being invited to comment on proposals to provide a new £3.3m swimming pool in the City.
Following Ripon City Council's backing for Harrogate Borough Council's plans to provide a new swimming pool at Camp Close, full public consultation gets underway on Friday 25 January.
The closing date for comments is Friday, 15 February.
Both councils are keen to bring swimming and fitness facilities in the City up to the standard of those provided in Harrogate.
Proposals also include improving fitness facilities at the Leisure Centre.
The initial designs for a new pool, to be built adjacent to Ripon Leisure Centre, have now been drawn up and can be viewed at the Leisure Centre on Dallamires Lane or at Ripon Spa Baths on Park Street.
Comment forms are available and can be placed in boxes provided at these sites or they can be posted to:
Ripon Swimming Pool Development Consultation
Harrogate Borough Council
Department of Community Services
Scottsdale House
Springfield Avenue
HARROGATE
North Yorkshire HG1 2HR
or you can email comments to rspconsultation@harrogate.gov.uk
Ripon Spa Baths were built in 1904 and have been operated by Harrogate Borough Council since 1974.
They provide a small but well used community pool measuring 25 yards by 10 yards with a small sauna and related ancillary facilities.
The maximum pool capacity is currently 90 persons.
The city centre location makes them reasonably accessible to those residents living in the City, but limited parking is a problem for those users living in the rural areas outside the City.
Councillor Mike Gardner, Leader of Harrogate Borough Council, says the facility has served the local community well over the years but it has in recent times experienced several operational problems and has severe limitations on its ability to provide modern, fit for purpose amenities.
He added:
"I hope everyone with an interest in this issue will come along and view the plans and give us their comments.
However, I do want to add that there is only one opportunity to fund the new pool, and that is by the disposal of the Spa Baths site.
Whilst we are not saying this has to be for housing it is clearly a feasible option and any other proposals would need to realise the same capital receipt.
Any future planning applications will need approval from the Secretary of State and will, whatever, happens include retaining the ornate and historic entrance to the Spa Baths."
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager, Harrogate Borough Council 01423 556022 or email lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk