Council’s £4.25m. investment has protected the future of swimming in Clitheroe

Ribblesdale Pool will reopen next week following a £4.25m. investment by Ribble Valley Borough Council to protect the future of swimming in Clitheroe.

Closed since April for essential improvements, the council-owned pool at Edisford has undergone extensive work. The pool is housed in a 54-year-old building with a design life of 30 years when constructed and despite many adaptations and dedicated maintenance was no longer energy efficient and was at risk of permanent closure.

The reopening comes against a backdrop of hundreds of swimming pool closures nationally. Swim England reported in 2023 that 1,000 publicly accessible pools had closed since 2010.

Families are invited to celebrate Ribblesdale’s return at an official opening and family fun day on Saturday November 14 at 1.45pm. Simon Hore, council leader, will officially reopen the pool at noon, with inflatable sessions among the activities planned.

The refurbishment, funded through the council’s capital programme, includes a new roof and pool lining, alongside renewed filtration and electrical systems. These improvements address the essential infrastructure needed to keep the pool operating for years to come.

Coun. Hore said: “Ribblesdale Pool matters to this community. It is where generations of children have learnt to swim, clubs train and people of all ages come to exercise, meet friends and enjoy themselves.

“We faced a clear choice. Without substantial investment, the pool was at risk of being lost. We chose to commit £4.25 million to its future and to ensure it was available to the next generation of swimmers because we recognise how much local people rely on it.

“Much of this work is behind the scenes, but replacing those essential systems is what will keep people swimming here, whilst reducing running costs and being more sustainable. At a time when communities across the country have experienced pool closures, we are proud to be bringing Ribblesdale back into use.

“We know swimmers, schools and clubs have missed the pool, and we thank everyone for their patience while this work has taken place.”

Fifteen local primary schools use Ribblesdale for lessons, allowing youngsters to develop a vital life skill, build confidence in the water and discover an activity they can enjoy throughout their lives.

The pool also supports local sporting opportunities, providing a training base for Clitheroe Dolphins and hosting triathlon and subaqua clubs.

Olympian Samantha Murray who won silver in the pentathlon at the 2012 Olympics was a former member of the Dolphins, demonstrating how local swimming opportunities can provide the starting point for sporting achievement.

Amy Donnelly Treasurer for Clitheroe Dolphins said: “We are really looking forward to being back at Ribblesdale. Having a local pool where swimmers can train regularly makes an enormous difference to our club.”

Alongside lessons and club swimming, the programme includes Aquafit, Aqua for Health and Hydrohex aqua fitness sessions, offering residents different ways to get active in the water. Details are available on the Council’s website where a new online booking system is also available speeding up the booking process.

Ribblesdale is part of the wider sports and leisure facilities at Edisford, alongside the independently operated Roefield Leisure gym. The gym is offering a “gym and swim” offer allowing residents to combine gym use with swimming at the pool.

For swimming timetables, lessons and activity information, visit www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/pool.