Last year it was in in danger of imminent closure.
But now plans are in to upgrade and extend New Earswick Swimming Pool.
The pool was opened in 1966 and run for many years by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.
Twice in recent years it has nearly closed. In 2017, it was announced that it would be shut and demolished within months, because the trust said it could no longer afford to run it.
It was saved by local residents who formed the Friends of New Earswick Swimming Pool.
After a long campaign, they took over the running the running of the pool in January 2019 signing a 25 year peppercorn lease with JRHT. The Friends they have managed the pool ever since.
Then last February, it was said the pool was in danger of imminent closure unless £250K could be found to upgrade its facilities.
A fundraising campaign followed, and the Friends revealed they had raised the initial cash for the boiler upgrade last August.
Now plans are in to extend and refurbish the pool, which is used by lots of community groups, schools and the wider public.
“The architectural appearance of the property is unique but requires extensive refurbishment to bring the property into the modern expected standards,” says a design and planning statement.
“The charity have undertaken an informal feasibility study of the building and given the size, configuration, dilapidated condition and the energy requirements it is struggling to meet the operational demands the public seek and require.
“To maintain the services of the swimming pool for the community we are seeking approval for the overall refurbishment, extension and integration of renewable technology.”
Under the plans, now in with City of York Council, the changing blocks will be reconfigured to provide the “shared changing cubicles / facilities our client desperately requires”.
A first floor extension will allow public viewing over the pool. And a new shallow pitched roof will be built.
“The height of the proposed pitched roof has been designed to ensure this does not impact upon the neighbouring Folk Hall,” planning documents state.
More than 30 people have written in to support the plans. One says: “This redevelopment is absolutely essential if the pool is to survive beyond another five to ten years.
“It will make the pool more inclusive, accessible, sustainable to run and will improve the
customer experience for both pool hirers and swimmers. Its will also improve the aesthetic
appearance of the pool.
“As well as public swimming, the pool is used by over 15 groups including three York schools (New Earswick Primary, Huntington Primary and Danesgate), swimming clubs, swim schools, charities and community groups.”
You can read and comment on the planning application here.
