Kirkby could be in line for a new swimming pool - council set to spend £28,500 on a feasibility study

Ashfield District Council is looking to spend a further £28,000 on a feasibility study for a new leisure facility in Kirkby, which could include a new swimming pool for the area.
Kirkby Festival Hall.Kirkby Festival Hall.
Kirkby Festival Hall.

More than 700 people responded to a public consultation in August on the future transformation of the leisure services in the Ashfield district as the cash-strapped authority looks to cut costs.

A swimming pool was highest on the list of priorities if a new facility could be provided to replace Kirkby’s ageing Festival Hall.

Ashfield District Council appointed specialist Leisure Consultants FMG Consulting Ltd to undertake a feasibility study to examine the potential for a new indoor leisure facility in the town.

The study found in terms of swimming provision, there does not appear to be sufficient levels of unmet demand in Ashfield at 96sqm to warrant additional pool provision

However the analysis has recommended two facility types options and identified two potential sites where a new facility could be accommodated.

A report presented to a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Thursday asked members to proceed with further feasibility works for the two preferred sites identified, to encompass two floor plans for a dry only leisure centre and a wet and dry leisure centre with 25m pool.

A bid has been submitted to the Nottinghamshire Pre Development fund for £28,500 to fund the further feasibility work.

Councillor Jim Aspinall said:”We have had feasibility studies done before about refurbishing the hall and we think the best option is to build another.

“Our preferred option would be to build one with a swimming pool and we are looking at the financial options. As a consequence of the consultations we have done the most popular request was for a pool and we are a listening council.”

Councillor Jason Zadrozny said: “The council has already spent £50,000 on a feasibility study and now wants to spend a further £28,500. The money would have been better spent in refurbishing the existing hall.”