Bradford Council rules out reopening Bingley Pool

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 00:33 · Archive

Bradford Council says it cannot afford the £8.6 million needed to reopen Bingley Pool and the building has no role in its leisure strategy.

Bradford Council has announced it will not reopen Bingley Pool, citing a cost of £8.6 million to restore the facility to basic operating condition. Council Leader Stephen Place said the authority lacks the budget for the project and the building has 'no role in the council's future leisure strategy'.

The pool was closed as part of a major restructuring of the district's leisure facilities. A £14.4 million Government Levelling Up grant had been approved to reopen the pool and refurbish Bingley's market square, but was later withdrawn after the council acknowledged a significant funding gap.

The council has paused plans to sell the building and has commissioned an updated report on its condition, which it has given to the Friends of Bingley Pool campaign group. Campaigners had briefly hoped that a budget pot earmarked for a planned new pool at Squire Lane—which the Reform Executive later scrapped—could be diverted to reopening Bingley Pool. The council says it is now up to the campaign group to identify a way forward for the facility.

Bradford Council rules out reopening Bingley Pool — Image: Yorkshire Post

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How it is being reported

Bingley Pool: Council rules out funding £8.6m reopening as campaigners face uncertain futureBingley Pool will cost £8.6m just bring it back to use – and Bradford Council bosses now say the building has “no role in the Council’s future leisure strategy.”Yorkshire Post · 14 Oct, 17:23
Council rules out bringing back pool that would cost £8.6 million to reopenThe pool was shut as part of a major shake up of the district’s leisure facilities.Telegraph & Argus · 14 Oct, 12:40

In this story: Bradford Council · Stephen Place · Bingley Pool · Friends of Bingley Pool · Bingley

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