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30
Sept 2021
'Ambitious plans' for new Knaresborough leisure centre revealed
Harrogate Borough Council has revealed how its proposed new multi-million pound leisure centre in Knaresborough will look.
The council plans to build the new facility on the site of Knaresborough Pool on King James Road by spring 2023.
The new centre will have a six-lane, 25-metre pool, learner pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio and spin studio.
Designs also show that it will have a café, electric car charging points, bicycle storage and a large play area.
The council has said it would prefer to build the centre towards the rear of the existing pool, where the play park is currently located, rather than build on Fysche field.
Knaresborough Pool would remain open throughout construction. When the new building opens, the council would demolish the existing pool and create a new play area in its place.
However, the council is keeping the option of building on Fysche field on the table as "option B" under the plans.
If the council went ahead with building on Fysche field then it would create a new green space in place of Knaresborough Pool.
Some Knaresborough people are concerned Fysche field and the adjoining children’s playground area could be lost and have a launched a campaign to "protect central Knaresborough's only recreational green space from being concreted over".
Share your views on the Knaresborough leisure centre plans
The council has now asked for residents to share their views online ahead of a formal planning application. It will also host an in-person consultation at Knaresborough Pool on October 6 between 5pm and 8pm.
Cllr Stanley Lumley, Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of the board of directors at Brimhams Active, said:
Read more:
- Site revealed for new Knaresborough leisure centre
- Green Party attacks Knaresborough leisure centre plans
Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, said:
James Foley, commercial director for Alliance Leisure Services, said:
Backlash over search for locations
The current site was one of four options, along with Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House and Hay-a-Park under consideration for the new leisure centre last year.
The council faced a backlash for considering Grade II* listed Conyngham Hall, with Knaresborough Civic Society among those opposing the move.
A Hands Off Conyngham Hall Grounds petition by the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats attracted more than 1,600 signatures.
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