Harrogate Borough Council has said it is looking to find UK-based engineers to help fix ongoing maintenance problems at Knaresborough Swimming Pool.
The council announced last month that its manufacturer, based in Spain, was unable to send engineers over to fix the pool equipment because lockdown rules prevent them from travelling.
Council bosses said the pool has an “ongoing problem” with its filtration system, which is nearly 30 years old, and requires specialist engineers to attend to it.
It means the facility is expected to be closed for the coming months, but others in the district – such as the Hydro in Harrogate – will reopen on April 12.
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Having faced some criticism on social media, the authority has said it is working with its contractor to find a “UK-based solution” to fix the problem.
A council spokeswoman said:
“There is an ongoing issue with the main filtration system at Knaresborough Swimming Pool that is nearing 30-years-old.
“Due to the specialist nature of the equipment required and complexity of the work involved, only a single bid received through the tender process met this requirement.
“The contractor appointed specialist engineers from Spain – who have experience of fixing aging swimming pools – to carry out this work. Which, due to the travel restrictions, has meant they are currently unable to do so.
“We are having on-going conversations with the contractor to see if we can find a UK-based solution, but at the moment there is no alternative.
“We understand residents’ frustrations and are equally as disappointed that the pool cannot open in the coming weeks.
“As soon as we have an update we will let our customers know.”
It comes as Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats called for “greater transparency” over its closure after the council announced it would not be open in April.
Local party campaigner, Matt Walker, wrote to Cllr Stan Lumley, cabinet member for leisure, calling for the pool to reopen as soon as possible.
Knaresborough pool is due to be demolished and replaced by a new leisure facility on the same location.
