In April we provided a paper setting out a series of ideas from the Public Meetings which we had cross-checked with other successful pools and lidos, and which were easy to implement immediately. Some of these ideas have been put into practice by Ilkley Pool and Lido staff. In addition this year there are now two sessions at the Lido, an increase in ticket prices, and a national reduction in energy costs. We pulled all these together to provide a conservative summary of the impact on the ‘bottom line’. Our view is that there is over £323,000 net impact from the proposals for immediate change and from the current changes that have been put into action. We took information from other pools and lidos to benchmark these figures, as well as using data provided by Bradford Council. This is therefore a conservative and credible figure.
We have not as yet costed more significant changes, which have the potential to bring in significantly more income and net profit. In addition there are opportunities for investment from grants which have not been accessed. The ‘shortfall’ previously provided in March by Bradford Council was 280K. Our conservative calculations demonstrate that the potential from very marginal changes at Ilkley Pool and Lido show that the facility is not only viable this year, but it is sustainable in the longer term.
There is now no reason for Bradford Council in its Review of Leisure Services to include the closure of Ilkley Pool and Lido.
The next public meeting to discuss what next for Ilkley Pool and Lido is on the 19th September, 6pm at Ilkley Grammar School.
Please register here to continue to support the future of Ilkley Pool and Lido
Read the full report here :