Ripon pool on track

The facility at the city’s leisure centre on Dallamires Lane will provide a new six-lane 25metre pool, modern changing rooms, sauna site, an extended gym and a refurbishment of the existing leisure centre.

Councillor Stanley Lumley, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said: “The addition of the new swimming pool, and the improvements to the leisure centre, will be a major development for Ripon and the surrounding area.

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“They’ll provide much needed modern facilities that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

Council officials say the existing facility at Ripon Spa Baths will no longer be required.

A spokesman said: “The sale, and redevelopment of the Spa Baths, will give this local listed building a new lease of life (subject to planning approval), retain key features and remain as a city landmark.”

And Coun Lumley added: “Ripon Spa Baths has served the community well over the years but now is the time for it to be replaced with a modern, state-of-the-art pool at the leisure centre.

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“The new pool will complement the other leisure activities on offer and will offer 70 per cent more water space than the existing baths.

“This means thousands more local residents will be able to enjoy it for years to come.”

The improved leisure centre will also provide a new main entrance and studios.

The car park has been relocated and will be complemented with a sheltered cycle rack, electric car charging points and a new £100,000 play area.

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Anthony Dillon, managing director for contractors Willmott Dixon in the north, said: “We are hugely proud to be playing our part in creating such an exciting and important facility, one that we think the people of Ripon will be proud of, for generations to come.

“The creation of top-quality leisure facilities to encourage health and wellbeing are vital to help our communities thrive.”