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Community group welcomes reprieve for Ilkley Pool and Lido

Friday, 29 November 2024 10:06

Aerial shot of Ilkley Pool & Lido (Photo: Stuart Clarkson)

Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group says it is delighted that Ilkley Pool and LIdo has had a reprieve whilst Bradford Council develops a strategic approach to sports and leisure facilities across the district.

Bradford Council Executive meets next week to agree the way forward for Ilkley Pool and Lido. The proposed new timetable for the review runs to December 2025, with community engagement in the plans from March to June.

Becky Malby, Chair of the Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group said:

"We are really pleased to see Bradford Council step back and recognise the need for a strategy for all sports and leisure services as a whole, based on the needs across the District. We will continue to make the case for the Ilkley Pool and Lido as a West Yorkshire facility as well as a local one, and for the development of the facility as part of a sports hub in Ilkley. The Ilkley Pool and Lido are vital for our town's health and economy. The lido is visited by people from across West Yorkshire and the UK, and the unique experience has grown a community of people who both love the facilities but also support each other.

"This new and sensible approach to determine the availability of sports and leisure facilities based on needs, and to collaborate with communities, builds on the work we have been doing in Ilkley. This work not only demonstrates how important the Pool and Lido are to the health of local people and to West Yorkshire, but also to show where the council can secure efficiency gains and increased usage. We have to thank the hundreds of people who took part in the three community events that have contributed to securing the immediate future of the Pool and Lido." 

The Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group has recently had its first meeting with Bradford Council to establish a new collaboration, and it is looking forward to being active in the design of sports and leisure services here in Ilkley, and to contributing to events and activities that mean more people enjoy the wonderful facilities. 

Paul Stephens, Secretary of the Ilkley Pool & Lido Community Group said:

“It’s great that the Council’s new approach recognises the importance of the involvement of community organisations and other stakeholders and the need to co-produce the long-term Sports Facilities Strategy 2026-2036. Our first partnership meeting with the Council was positive and we look forward to further meetings. We want to make a positive input to the Strategy and to jointly agree short-term actions that will maximise use of the pool and lido by people across the Bradford district and beyond, particularly in the year of the Lido’s 90th birthday.

"Looking ahead to 2025, we are encouraging everyone in Ilkley to make a New Years Resolution to come down and swim in the Pool and Lido. The more we use it the less chance there is we will lose it!"

In the meantime the Group continues to champion all the feedback and ideas generated by the community, to secure better facilities and access, and to help Ilkley Pool and Lido thrive. You can find out more at Ilkleypoolandlido.co.uk

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