Swimming pools to reopen by end of year - council

Swimming pools at a leisure centre in North Yorkshire are expected to reopen by the end of the year, a council has confirmed.

The facilities at Active North Yorkshire Richmond were closed in April last year due to a partial ceiling collapse.

Repairs, now in their final stages, were originally due to be completed in the first half of this year, and then by the autumn.

Councillor Simon Myers, executive member for leisure on North Yorkshire Council, said: "Alongside some essential works, including the removal of sealed asbestos from the roof space, we have taken the opportunity to make a number of wider improvements that will directly benefit customers, such as upgraded lighting and heating."

Councillors originally approved £1.2m of funding for the work in October last year, but were told in May that an additional £450,000 was needed.

According to the council, 91% of respondents to a survey last year said it was "very important" or "moderately important" that the swimming pools were saved.

Myers said: "We know how important these pools are to residents, and throughout this project our priority has been to ensure all works were completed properly and to a high standard.

"I'd like to thank everyone involved in the project, as well as residents and customers for their patience and cooperation while the work has been carried out."

More details about the reopening would be shared in the coming weeks, a council spokesperson said.

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