A BID to transform Ilkley swimming pool into an unrivaled health and fitness centre is likely to be a non-starter without Lottery funding.

Ilkley resident Fiona Buckley said she would be the first person to line up with an annual membership fee if the plan got off the ground.

"A mere ten members reserving their membership in advance would cover the costs of several pieces of fitness equipment - there would be nowhere in the area to compare," said Miss Buckley, of North Parade.

Miss Buckley has written to Bradford's recreation department with her idea of extending the use of the swimming pool complex to rival expensive private health clubs in the area.

She also blasted swimming pool bosses for what she sees as very restrictive opening times at the pool.

"The times do not compare at all favourably with the likes of Guiseley pool, which is open every night until 8pm. I find the times very restricting and I know other people feel the same.

Miss Buckley said that because she worked in Bradford, she could only use her local pool until 7pm at night and the early morning swim at 7.30am was too late for anyone who had to commute from Ilkley to Leeds or Bradford for 9pm.

Miss Buckley's idea of turning the site into a fitness complex has found favour among Ilkley parish councillors who are investigating the likely cost of the project.

Parish council Clerk Miggy Bailey said: "It is something that would be superb - the council would do very well out of it."

But district councillor Martin Smith, a Tory member of the sports and recreation committee, said that the council did not have the funds to make the initial investment to get the project off the ground.

He said that it could form the basis of a bid for National Lottery funding in the future.

Coun Smith agreed with Miss Buckley that the present opening hours at the pool were too restrictive.

"I believe these places should be open when people want to use them, not to suit the officers," said Coun Smith.

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