Letter: Scarborough area will lose its lane swimming

A new water park is being built which was originally due to open at Easter but is now behind schedule.

The water park will be operating a “family fun only” business model which means that, once the indoor pool closes, there will be no opportunity for lane swimming in the North Bay.

My concerns are:

1 The council has made a loan to the water park developer of £9 million of public money but has not insisted on the provision of a lane pool in the water park to replace the indoor pool.

2 Who will visit the water park on weekdays outside of school holidays if all it provides is a “family fun” day out?

If the water park was a private project these concerns would not be a matter of public interest but taxpayers’ money has been invested in it.

The provision of a lane swimming pool at the water park could replace the loss of amenity when the indoor pool closes and provide additional revenue to help repay the council’s loan.

Bridlington’s new leisure centre will be combining a splash zone fun pool and a six-lane pool so it can be done.

In my opinion, the council has secured the worst outcome for both swimmers, with no lane pool in the North Bay, and taxpayers, with £9 million at risk if the water park’s business model fails.

Alison Brown

Ryndle Walk

Scarborough