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27

Jul 2021

Last Updated: 27/07/2021
Community
Community

The Harrogate diving boards that helped Olympic champ Jack Laugher remain closed

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 27 Jul, 2021
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The Olympics has inspired more youngsters to contact Harrogate District Diving Club. But their dreams of being the next Jack Laugher are being thwarted by the ongoing closure of the Harrogate Hydro diving boards.

harrogate-hydro-diving-boards
The diving boards have been out of action since November 2020.

Ripon's Jack Laugher goes for gold at the Olympics tomorrow — but the diving boards at the Harrogate Hydro pool where he used to train have been out of use for eight months.

Laugher began his career with Harrogate District Diving Club, as did Oliver Dingley, who represents Ireland in the Olympic diving tomorrow.

The top club has seen an increase in the number of young people interested in taking up the sport since the Tokyo games began.

But the diving boards at the Hydro, which is owed by Harrogate Borough Council, have been out of action since November last year after cracks were found in the concrete supports.

It means local young divers who aspire to be the next Jack Laugher are having to make do with a mobile one-metre board or travel to another pool in West Yorkshire.

Families have expressed frustration at the apparent lack of urgency to resolve the matter.

Today Richard Cooper, the Conservative leader of Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the Hydro, described the situation as "concerning" and called for a report to be produced within weeks.

In an article on the Community News website run by Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Cllr Cooper said:

“This is very concerning and I am hoping to see a further detailed report within the next few weeks with recommendations as to how we can move forward.
"Clearly the safety of customers is paramount and the boards cannot be opened until they are made safe.”






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The Stray Ferret asked the council for an update on when the boards will be repaired.

A council spokesperson said there had been no update since its previous statement this month, which said:

“Unfortunately, during a routine inspection of the diving board platform at The Hydro in Harrogate, cracks in the concrete were discovered.
“A further independent survey was carried out to establish the stability, integrity and durability of the diving structure.
“Results show that the diving platform should not be used until work has been carried out.
“We are exploring possible options and will have an update in due course.”