Manchester council chiefs have praised the work of officers and residents for the late reprieve handed to the under-threat Broadway swimming pool this week.
Broadway, in New Moston, was originally expected to close at the end of May, but it was last week decided to keep it open for at least a year.
But after accepting the revised proposals, deputy leader of the council, Councillor Jim Battle, revealed that work is far from over and must continue over the coming months.
“I think that the work that has been undertaken has been quite remarkable,” he said. “While we have not found a total solution, there is a commitment to find a way forward for these pools.
“It is going to be difficult but I think we have shown with all the pools that we have not been afraid of this.
“I think it is important to work hard to find a solution and with the other pools there is a solution because there are new pools being built.
“But I think it is important to come back to this committee in six months time to see if there has been progress but if there has not been, then we have to face the consequences.”
It will remain open for the next financial year and the council will work with Friends of Broadway Leisure Centre (FBLC) to raise the necessary funds.
They have drawn up a plan to raise the £89,000 required to run the pool for the 2013/14 financial year and intend to run it for at least two more afterwards.
The pool has been saved through the reallocation of public health funds and Simon Wheale, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Withington, is glad the council have used this money positively.
“I am very pleased that a more positive view is being taken by the council in terms of public health,” he said.
“There is a positive application of public health money and this will lead to more healthy lifestyles for Manchester residents.”
Broadway is the last of Manchester’s pools threatened with closure to be saved, after facilities in Levenshulme, Miles Platting and Withington were handed reprieves in March.
New leisure facilities – costing £10million – are planned to open in Hough End and Levenshulme by 2015 and will replace the current pools.
Picture courtesy of Adrian Pingstone. via Wiki Commons, with thanks.
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