Leisure chiefs say 'disgusting' pool could get huge revamp

Harrogate Borough Council has allocated an initial £500,000 to upgrade its leisure facilities - that figure could eventually rise to £1.5m.

No firm decisions have been made on where the funds will be spent, but the council said Ripon Spa Baths was being considered.

Swimmers have criticised the state of the baths and have called on the council to carry out work, including creating a new high-tech pool.

Kenn Hart, chairman of Ripon Amateur Swimming Club, said: "The pool at present is disgusting.

"It's a priority that we get a pool that is a benefit to the community.

"I will keep pushing for that pool as I don't want it ten years from now - I want it right now.

"The council says it has the money to spend on leisure facilities and I figure we need a top of the range pool.

"What we really need is a pool that can be used by international teams and by local swimmers.

"We want a 25-metre six-lane pool which can be used by a variety of people, from racing to water polo.

"A pool with a rising floor is slightly more expensive but it should prove better in the long-term. You could have the floor at one level for toddlers learning to swim and lower it for people wanting to dive."

He added that the nearest pool with the same capability was a 60-mile round trip away at Leeds.

The baths date back to Victorian times and are popular with visitors and locals.

The authority has said it is looking into possibly spending money on upgrading the baths. The council generated the funds by making savings elsewhere.

Councillor Mike Gardner, leader of the council, who has visited the pool, said: "The visit was to see first hand what its problems are. In this case, it's not come as a surprise that there are problems with it.

"What we're going to do I can't say at this stage, as a final decision on where the money will be spent can only be made when all the options in the district have been explored. It is impossible to put a time-scale on things at this stage."