Two Lancashire swimming pools saved from closure amid protests and rows could get huge cash injection

Park Pool in Ormskirk and Nye Bevan Pool in Skelmersdale were kept open after West Lancashire opposition councillors narrowly won a vote last February against any closures. Hundreds of people had protested at West Lancashire Council meetings during last winter against the pool closure plans.

It all came after the council’s ruling Labour group reluctantly recommended the two pools should be closed to balanced their budget.

Labour councillors said the pools were too costly and outdated, and the council was left cash-strapped after years of austerity.

Following the vote to keep both pools open, councillors called for a survey of the two sites. Now councillors are being asked to approve, in principle, ring-fencing £10.5million for essential repairs and for other possible leisure service projects.

A report for this week’s full council acknowledges the pools’ importance to the community. It says: “The pools support a range of activity for residents across the borough, including schools and clubs. For many users, particularly children and families, these provide local access to swimming and exercise that forms part of regular weekly activity.

“While alternative facilities may be accessible for some people, others face barriers with distance, cost, transport or scheduling. Schools and organised groups are particularly sensitive to any disruption. Any essential repairs programme would be focused on reducing the likelihood of sudden or unplanned loss of service.”

If agreed, the £10.5m will come from the borough’s community infrastructure levy (CIL), paid by housing developers towards local amenities. But detailed costings will still be needed.

The report suggests some early repairs over the next three years. At Park Pool, these include replacing old circulation equipment, tackling under-croft supports and pipework defects, and work on tiles, grout and access ladders. At Nye Bevan pool, suggestions include pipework, equipment supports, circulation parts, electrical controls, boilers and air heating units.

It adds: “Both pools were designed at a time when energy efficiency and carbon performance were not primary considerations. They require continuous heating, ventilation and humidity control, which makes them energy-intensive compared with most other public buildings.”

Councillors are also being asked to note the report’s details, the risks the swimming pools face and the suggested repairs. A top council officer will prepare fully-costed estimates for repairs, if councillors agree.

Last year, some councillors left Labour over the pools row, including Paul Hogan and Neil Furey.