MORE than 90 people attended the second meeting of the newly-formed Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group to hear the stark message: "Use it or lose it."

Ilkley Pool and Lido is under review as part of the huge cost savings Bradford Council has to make in the coming years, along with all swimming pools across the Bradford district.

Figures for April 2022 to March 2023 reveal the Pool and Lido operated at a £280,000 loss. During the same time period visitor numbers to the pool and lido were 158,210.

The Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group has been established to secure its future, by working with Bradford Council to increase usage and income and reduce costs immediately, and by developing proposals for community ownership if needed.

The second meeting of the group discussed ideas generated by Ilkley residents to close the gap on the current deficit, and to secure a facility that is fit for the future.

Becky Malby, founder of the group, said: "It has been amazing, how the community has quickly stepped up to do everything practically possible to save our pool and lido from closure."

Joanne Bown, one of the founding members said: "We are fortunate in Ilkley to have both an indoor and outdoor pool on one site that is accessible on foot and public transport. It is a real asset to the physical and mental wellbeing of the community, and people that visit Ilkley."

The group has been endorsed by Olympic athlete Alistair Brownlee who did his first ever triathlon at Ilkley Pool and Lido. In a video posted on the group's website Alistair says how crucial the pool and lido were for him and how vital it is for the health of the community.

The group has checked the ideas - generated by over 100 Ilkley residents at the first public meeting - with pools and lidos across the country who have already had to take steps to save their pool/lido.

They are progressing ones that have the best chance of making a difference. These include a more profitable and accessible cafe, changing the timetable to make the most of the demand for use from Ilkley residents, reducing the energy bill, adding in classes and events to attract more people, collaborating with the sports clubs across Ilkley to provide more activities, improving the income from merchandise (a massive income in other pools), making better use of the grounds, and developing an active volunteer scheme.

The group is collaborating with all the sports organisations in Ilkley and reaching out to the arts and wider community too.

Becky Malby added: "Of course there needs to be longer term plans for solar panels, new changing rooms and so on, but right now we are focussing on closing the funding gap. Alongside this we are getting ready in case we do need to take over the whole facility as a community run organisation."

The group will be sending out a survey this month to Ilkley residents to gauge views, particularly on how/whether people use the pool and lido.

Dr Juliet O’Callaghan from the group said: “Rather than viewing a threat of closure in the autumn as a negative, we see this as an opportunity to work alongside the council to secure and develop a community led sports facility that will serve Ilkley and the wider community for years to come.”

None of Bradford Council’s leisure centres operate at a profit – and last year the taxpayer subsidies to keep the centres running centres ranged from £129,000 to £838,000.

The authority plans to cut the service by over £1.3m in the coming years and is currently conducing a review, with findings expected to be published in June for consultation and a final decision in September.

Interested parties can sign up to contribute to the Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group on the group website https://ilkleylidoandpool.co.uk/