THE group who plan to take on Bingley Pool next year will be speaking to residents about their plans at this weekend’s Christmas Light’s Switch On.

Friends of Bingley Pool will have a stall at Saturday’s event, and people will be able to ask them about their plans to run the building after completing a “community asset transfer.”

And the group says they are hopeful of running the building by late March.

Bradford Council first announced plans to close the town centre pool, in Myrtle Place, several years ago as part of a major shake up of the district’s pools and leisure centres.

Queensbury Pool would also face closure under the plans.

Ever since then, work has been underway for Bingley Pool to remain open as a community run facility.

Work has stepped up in the past year, as the pool is due to shut in March when the Council pulls out of running the facility.

Community group in discussion with Bradford Council over Queensbury's Victoria Hall

Earlier this year the Council confirmed the asset transfer was a major priority for the town.

The group now says that Bradford Council is “100 per cent” behind the proposed transfer.

The group is also looking to boost its engagement with the Bingley community and pool users.

A statement from the Friends group says: “New trustees have joined the group and have brought with them required expertise and new impetus.

“We are working closely with District Councillors Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for Regeneration at Bradford Council and Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people & places, who are 100 per cent behind the transfer being a successful process.”

Councillor Ross-Shaw said: “We believe the Friends of Bingley Pool Trustees are well on the way and can be confident of them running a successful operation, we shall continue to support them where we can and ensure there are no outstanding issues and obstacles prior to the completion.”

The group says Stage 2 of the transfer process is planned to be completed by the end of the year.

After this, fundraising and applications for grants can begin.

Stage 3 will then involve negotiations over the lease of the pool building, which includes what is now Gateway Veterinary Surgery.

The group added: “Bradford Council have intimated they are flexible in ensuring the transfer is completed as close as possible to the target date for closure of March 31 2020.

“As well as concentrating on the community asset transfer process, Friends of Bingley Pool have been looking at ways to increase their engagement with the community.

“Recent months have seen work with Bingley Amateur Swimming Club and Bingley Lifesaving Club. November saw members of FOBP receiving their first monthly newsletter as well as invitations to the AGM.

“The group will have a stall in the marketplace at the Bingley Christmas Lights Switch on Saturday and hope to engage the public and encourage new membership.

“Membership of Friends of Bingley Pool is free of charge and forms are available at Bingley Pool as well as online at www.bingleypool.com.”

In Queensbury a group called Queensbury Community Programme are working towards keeping the town’s pool, in Victoria Hall, open on a similar basis.