Swimming pool reopening delayed

The swimming pool was closed in 2023 due to budget cuts

A community swimming pool saved from permanent closure thanks to a £400,000 fundraising effort has had its reopening delayed by a week.

Gateshead Council closed Birtley Swimming Centre in July 2023 due to budget cuts.

Volunteers set up the Birtley Community Aquatic Centre (BCAC) and raised the money to reopen the centre as a not-for-profit venture.

The pool was due to fully reopen to the public on Monday, however it has been pushed back until 16 September to allow extra time for staff security checks to be carried out.

Now known as Birtley Community Pool, the site has undergone a major revamp including the installation of new boilers, LED lights and a refurbished waterslide.

Matthew Grant, treasurer of the BCAC told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It is a huge achievement for us to have reached this point.

"We have had to raise over £400,000 to get all of the work done on the pool and that has come from a variety of sources, including a lot of support from the local community here."

The BCAC has said it raised £400,000 to reopen the pool

The pool’s reopening has been backed with a £272,000 grant from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund, a grant from Sport England and more than £20,000 in crowdfunding donations.

Dean Cox, who has lived in the town for over 60 years and serves as the Birtley Amateur Swimming Club secretary, said people's "pride" contributed to the fundraising efforts.

"So many of the donations we have had have not been from us going cap in hand to someone, people have wanted to help," he said.

"That pride that comes from the community and the support they have given us has been a real boost."