ASHOK KUMAR’S ‘DELIGHT AND JOY’ AT NEWS OF GUISBOROUGH SWIMMING POOL REFURBISHMENT

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP, Ashok Kumar, today (July 7th) expressed his 'delight and joy' at the news that Guisborough Swimming Pool was to be the recipient of a large modernisation and refurbishment programme and that this work was to be the precursor to a totally new pool for the town in 2013 The work on the pool is to be funded via a sizeable contribution from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's £2.47 million Capital Programme for Leisure and will mean a new internal roof for the pool, new poolside surrounds, a total refurbishment for the changing rooms, cubicles and lockers as well as work on the external roof and a modernisation of the pool's cleansing and filtration system. This work is designed to see the pool continue in use until a totally new pool is developed at LawrenceJacksonSchoolin around 2012. Ashok said "This a triumph and marks the culmination of a long eight year campaign that I have led in the town to see that the present baths were both saved and that they were to brought back to a condition that will see the pool become a centrepiece for local leisure pursuits. Over the past years I have held a special debate in Parliament, present a petition to the Council and to the House of Commons and brought the former Sports Minister, Richard Caborn MP, so he could see for himself the need for these works to be funded. This will now happen – and on top of that we now have the news that this work will be the precursor to the building of an entirely new pool on the Lawrence Jackson School Site as part of the Government funded 'Building Schools for the Future' Programme". "This news shows how the government and the local council, working together hand-in-hand can turn aspiration into reality. I was proud to have led the fight for the new pool and I now look forward eagerly to the opening ceremony." The Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Councillor George Dunning, said "We are honouring Labour's manifesto commitment to Guisborough to maintain swimming facilities, something in stark contrast to the previous coalition who, at one point were considering the total closure of the pool" The Deputy Leader of the Council and the Council's Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism Sheelagh Clarke, said .' We are committed to improving the range of activities and facilities for Guisborough and for the borough as a whole, and this is another big step forward ' Local Guisborough Ward Councillors Joe Keenan and Denise Bunn also welcomed the news. Joe said "This is great news for the town. The threat to the future of the pool under the previous Tory, Lib Dem and Independent coalition administration worried us all. Fighting to secure a pool for Guisborough was one of the main reasons that I stood for election to the council. I am really pleased with the progress we have made. All concerned should be congratulated." Denise said "I am extremely pleased that we have been able to deliver one of our Manifesto promises to ensure swimming facilities for Guisborough by repairing the present pool , and planning for a New Pool at Laurence Jackson. The Labour Government is intending to allow free swimming for Children and over 60 year olds in the first instance , and then for all age groups. What better way to stay fit physically and mentally than by swimming !". Rob Vincent Jones, the Vice Chair of the Guisborough New Pool Group also commented. He said "I am delighted to hear this news, which will ensure the continuation of swimming in Guisborough as a sport and as a leisure pursuit. It is a tonic for the town."

Joe Keenan
Councillor for Guisborough Ward