Council’s new pool plan after protests

The local authority yesterday announced proposals to build a new swimming pool for the south east of Wakefield district as part of a review of its leisure services.

Members of Minsthorpe Pool Action Group (MPAG) have been campaigning to get the pool re-opened after is was ‘temporarily’ closed for essential maintenance works’ last April.

It was not re-opened and council chiefs said it would be permanently closed after announcing that repairs amounted to £1.2m due to a crack in the pool and a filtration system in poor condition.

Objectors were angry at the closure as the nearest Wakefield Council run pool is eight miles away in Pontefract.

MPAG spokesman Andrew Picken said yesterday: “This is a victory for the community. People will feel as though Wakefield Council has listened to them.”

Mr Picken said the group wants to be involved in discussions with Wakefield Council on the location of the proposed new pool. A report to Wakefield Council’s cabinet on February 11 will recommend the pool.

If approved, council officers will discuss the location and future funding options with local councillors, schools and local town and parish councils.

Coun David Dagger, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for culture, sport and libraries, said: “We recognise that, even though the council faces huge financial challenges, there is a clear need for a swimming facility in the south east. It is clearly unfair that there is no provision in this part of the district and working with local people, we intend to resolve this. Once the report is approved we will begin discussions with town and parish councils and the schools in the south east to establish the best location for a new pool.