PLANS for a new £8.6 million swimming pool for the Greater Eston area have been confirmed.
The new pool is designed to replace the closed Eston Swimming Pool which would have cost more than £3 million to repair.
It will be an upgrade on the previous pool as it will meet Sport England's 'competition standard' specification, meaning it could host major gala events.
The swim centre, to be built on the site of the old one if planning permission is granted. It would have a 25-metre swimming area with six lanes, a changing 'village' and capacity for 150 spectators. It is expected work will begin next winter and it will open to the public in 2024.
Initial details of the plan are being released ahead of a budget report due to be published later this month which sets out the funding for the scheme.
Councillor Steve Kay, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare, said: “This is an exciting project which demonstrates our commitment to both investing in the area and to public health. The pool will serve the public for many years to come and it will have a significant positive impact on exercise and activity levels across the wider area. It will also serve our brilliant swimmers in the borough and wider area who represent the area and country in competitions."
Prior to last year's closure, the 50-year-old existing pool, on Normanby Road, South Bank, was being regularly used by 16 schools and had 26,000 swimmers in 2019/20. However, the boiler room has flooded several times causing serious damage.
The council will now engage further with designers as well as construction companies and more details will be made public in the coming months.
Only the old swimming pool and associated buildings would be demolished at the site later this year, if permission is given. The rest of the leisure centre will remain open with only minimal disruption expected
The plan remains subject to planning approval.