New pools set to replace old facilities

A council report being discussed next week by senior councillors is recommending that detailed planning for replacement pools should begin.

The council’s executive member of environment, sport and sustainability, Coun Andrew Thornton, said: “The report recommends replacing outdated pools that have high running costs and require a great deal of maintenance with modern, well designed facilities that people will enjoy using. The proposals are also forecast to save the council £1.7m a year in running costs.

“It is important that new facilities are opened before existing outdated facilities are closed. That will require the council to fund the start of the programme and then recoup the majority of its outlay later on from the sale of surplus sites.”

The report proposes a new city centre facility and three new pools in the south, north and south west of Bradford and the phased disposal of Richard Dunn Sports Centre and pools in Bowling, Bingley and Queensbury.