Ilkley Pool Group unveils new plans (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Campaign leader says vision can still become a reality

9:00am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Ilkley By Jonathan Redhead

An artist's impression of how Ilkley Pool could look

The man leading a campaign for a multi-million pound swimming Pool revamp says he is positive the “vision” will be realised.

The Ilkley Pool Group released more details of their plans this week to refurbish the town’s current swimming centre, which sits next to the famous lido and has been described as “out of date” and “architectural vandalism”.

And after submitting reports to Bradford Council, which runs the pool and lido site on Denton Road, Richard Threlfall, who has been leading the pool group’s bid, says he remains hopeful a plan can be put into place, despite the current economic crisis.

He is hoping the Council will stump up funds for a full feasibility study and business plan into the scheme, which includes ideas for a new indoor pool, cafe, children’s pool gym and sports hall, following a major consultation exercise late last year.

“We had an overwhelmingly positive response and it is clear that Ilkley is united in its view that the existing indoor pool is well past its sell-by date,” Mr Threlfall said.

“We have completely overhauled the designs and have shared them with Bradford Council.

“Bradford have been very helpful and constructive in our dealings with them and I remain positive that we will find a way with them to achieve the vision we have set out in our report.”

The new designs include a modern art deco white curved entrance turret and a flat green roof to protect views across the valley.

Although the majority of the proposals surround plans for the indoor pool, Mr Threlfall said several people had suggested water in the outdoor lido should be heated to encourage greater use.

Ilkley district councillor Anne Hawkesworth has been acting as a link between the pool group and the Council and says she is hopeful the ambitious scheme will come to fruition.

Councillor Andrew Thornton, the Council’s executive member with responsibility for sport, welcomed two reports from the pool group and Friends of Ilkley Lido, and said they would be considered along with a district wide review of sports facilities.

e-mail: jon.redhead@telegraphandargus.co.uk