Council officers are finalising their bid for more than a million pounds from the sports lottery to turn Aireville Park, Skipton, into a major tourist attraction.

At the heart of the project is the demolition of the 35-year-old Aireville swimming baths and the construction of a competition-style pool likely to cost at least £2m.

Craven Council is approaching the sports lottery with hopes of gaining at least £1 million towards the pool project. And it is seeking cash from the heritage lottery for other park improvements.

Officers are also working on a scheme to link the park with the Leeds-Liverpool canal basin in Skipton by improving the canal towpath. They are holding talks with British Waterways.

Craven Councillor Carl Lis (Lib Dem, Ingleborough), chairman of the project steering group, said preparation of the bid was at a crucial stage.

"Craven has not had its fair share of lottery money. The area must not be forgotten. We have drawn up a great project and it deserves support,'' he said. "The major part of the scheme involves demolishing the present pool and constructing a six-lane, 25 metre swimming pool, with a learner pool and fitness area.''

He said the present pool would not be demolished until the new pool was built alongside.

British Waterways has agreed to pump some money into the plans to improve the canal towpath involving resurfacing and lighting.

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