BINGLEY Pool is of historic and local significance to the local community and has produced some of the country’s swimming legends.

Adrian Moorhouse, former Olympic gold medalist, and Barry Watson, world record champion swimmer, both trained there and both supported our campaign to keep the pool open.

The history of the pool is particularly interesting at this time, in that we have come full circle. In 1866 a campaign began to have a pool and slipper baths in Bingley, where the general public could wash. These were eventually opened in 1892, though the swimming pool wasn’t built until 1927 which meant our residents had to travel to pools in Shipley (built in 1907)or Keighley (1914).

Now, in 2021, if replacement provision is not available in Bingley, our residents will once again be expected to do the same.

In 2014 Bradford Council earmarked Bingley Pool for closure. This was the result of its swimming strategy exercise which looked at requirements for swimming space across the district and where existing provision was. It was also part of the annual budget process. The agreement was that a number of pools would close (including Bingley) and three new pools would open at Sedbergh, Squire Lane and in Bradford city centre. The latter has since been removed from the list, and only Sedbergh in Bradford South has been built.

It was said those pools earmarked for closure would only close once the new pools were built, particularly as school swims needed to be accommodated and in the case of Bingley, Bingley Swimming Club and Bingley lifesaving club operated out of our pool.

News of the pool closure was met with dismay by residents, many of whom came from families who had used it for generations.

Friends of Bingley Pool was formed in 2015 by local doctors Anna Mdee and Jag Picknett with the aim of retaining swimming provision in the town, and work began with the District Council to explore the possibility of a Community Asset Transfer, where the ownership and operation of the pool building would transfer to a community organisation. Bingley Town Council also registered the building as an asset of community interest.

The Friends Group registered as a charity, our Business Plan was approved and the lease arrangements were progressing towards a transfer date of September 2020, when in January 2020 the pandemic hit. We were granted an extension on the Community Asset Transfer deadline to September 2021, however during lockdown disaster struck when ceiling plaster within the pool building fell into the pool. This resulted in the pool being drained and specialist repair and maintenance reports commissioned. This was ablow for Bingley as all other pools in the district re-opened post lockdown.

The September 2021 deadline for the Asset Transfer came and went and following pressure from the Trustees of the Friends of Bingley Pool, the Council has confirmed Bingley Pool will not reopen. It cited the reason as the cost of the repairs required to bring the pool up to an operational standard, costs estimated to be between £1.25m and £4.25m.

The Council is currently working with Sport England to consider the strategic supply and demand for swimming across the district and will consider a number of options, including the impact of opening a replacement pool in Bingley. For the Friends of Bingley Pool this was the news we had been fearing and whilst it may mark the end of the pool building, we remain hopeful that it signals the beginning of something far more exciting for the town.

Bradford Council has agreed to support an application to the Governments Levelling Up Fund for up to £20 million pounds worth of investment for Bingley Town Centre. This is the best opportunity we’ve had in decades to regenerate our town and stimulate growth and prosperity. The funding would provide a real opportunity to look at all the council assets within Bingley and identify how best they can be developed, ensuring economic growth, increase employment and visitors to our town.

We are disappointed that Bingley pool remains closed and looks unlikely to re-open and recognise the impact it will have on many residents, families and schoolchildren in Bingley. We do understand the scale and cost of repairs required to bring the building in line with operational standards are prohibitive for a small community based charity.

Friends of Bingley Pool will need time to reflect on what the pool closure means for us as on organisation and where we go from here. We do believe the Levelling Up fund bid represents a great opportunity to get the substantial investment in to the town that it badly needs and are keen to be part of it.

It is now time for everyone who cares about Bingley to pull together for the good of the town. This includes all the key partners, community organisations and residents working collaboratively on a masterplan that will revitalise our town.

Friends of Bingley Pool may not be able to save the building but we are committed to pursuing a scheme that will retain pool space, whilst at the same time creating a town that is attractive to residents and visitors, and one we can once again be proud of.

* For anyone interested in hearing more about the Friends of Bingley Pool there will be a stall at Bingley Market on Saturday, November 6 from 10.30am-2pm. A book on the history of Bingley pool by Alan Cattell is available to buy; all proceeds go to the Friends group.