Alan Morrell says new pool hope is unrealistic (From Ilkley Gazette)

Alan Morrell says new pool hope is unrealistic

8:30am Friday 27th November 2009

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A basic clean-up could make all the difference to Ilkley Swimming Pool, according to chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, Alan Morrell.

Coun Morrell was the first to speak out about the state of the pool three weeks ago when he pointed to mould and cracked tiles at the Denton Road facility.

His comments sparked a raging debate amongst users of the pool who got in touch with the Gazette to call for action.

But while many users have asked for new baths to be built on the site, Mr Morrell said it would be unrealistic to expect new facilities in the near future.

He said: “We have to be realistic. We already know there is no money. Bradford Council announced huge cut backs for the next year and the year after. The prospect of building a new pool is negligible.”

Asked what could be done to improve the facilities, Mr Morrell added that a thorough and regular clean-up job was called for.

He said: “Basically much of the work that needs done at the pool is cosmetic and is largely to do with making it clean and hygienic. When you go to other pools they are sparkling, fresh and clean. They are properly maintained and there has been money spent on other pools throughout the district.

“At Ilkley the showers are very modest and feeble. The grouting is mouldy and scruffy and it basically needs a good clean up on a regular basis.”

Last week dozens of readers contacted the Gazette to say that the facilities were outdated and in need of replacing.

This followed a previous article where we published photographs of debris and hair taken from the bottom of the pool.

However, Bradford Council has maintained throughout the debate that the pool is clean and conforms to standards set by Health and Safety.

READERS' COMMENTS

I am a disabled user and as swimming is the only physical activity I am able to do, I use the pool to keep fit and it is very beneficial to me. I cannot afford to drive to Skipton or Keighley to swim and public transport is not possible for me with my disability. I heartily agree that there is a need for a new pool. The present pool is too small to cope with increasing numbers and is in a very poor state of repair and cleanliness.

Judith Shilling

I regularly swim here and appreciate having a local pool. Demanding a new one seems doomed to failure particularly with Anne Hawkesworth telling us the council is going to have to cut spending. Most of the complaints seem to be about cleanliness, this is a maintenance issue and nothing to do with the age of the pool. And please can we have the public toilets outside the pool reopened?

Harriet Wood

Why is the pool not maintained and cleaned properly? Surely the fact that hair and debris is found in the pool points to inefficiency, not the need for a new pool?

Diana Crawshaw

I think that not only does the pool need renovating and the changing areas bringing into the 21st century. I also think it is time that Ilkley was provided with proper sports and fitness facilities on the same site.

Janice Wright

I swim at least once a week at the Ilkley Pool. Although I am sure the staff do their best with the equipment they have, the facility is in serious need of updating. I would suggest that the Local Authority consult with Craven District Council who updated their existing pool at Aireville in Skipton and took the opportunity to add other facilities to increase participation in sport. Vicky Jordan I swim there at least three times per week and have done so for over 10 years and the pool’s cleanliness has deteriorated over the years. There are chunks of hair in the pool and spread over the shower room walls; there is often mud on the changing room floor – even first thing in the morning – through which we have to walk to the pool. There is no longer a foot bath and swimmers with excessively muddy footwear do not remove them before coming into the changing rooms.

Elaine Smith

I think it would be great if the Gazette could run a campaign to improve the standards of the place, or even get a new one built. The pool won’t be getting my business unless this is the case!

Nick Reddyoff

I have mentioned these points to Bradford Council:

1 The state of the pool. I love swimming but at times I really have been put off going due to the hair and muck at the bottom of the pool.

2 The lack of lighting on my walk to the pool at night needs attention. I have not received a reply from Bradford City Council.

Helen Barnes

What do you think? Contact Andrea Hardaker at andrea.h@wharfedalenewspapers.co.uk.

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