Swimming pool demolition likely for late autumn

The pool was closed during the Covid pandemic in 2020

Demolition work at Halifax's former Skircoat Road swimming pool is expected to begin in late autumn.

The 1960s-built facility has been closed since the Covid pandemic in 2020, after Calderdale Council decided it was beyond economic repair.

The authority said that following the removal of a Northern Power Grid sub-station from the building, a prior notice application had been submitted to planners and work was under way to find a demolition contractor.

A new £35m leisure centre, including a six-lane swimming pool, is due to be built in the town centre on the site of the former North Bridge Leisure Centre.

In a questions-to-Cabinet session, Liberal Democrat councillor Sue Holdsworth asked if a date for demolition had been decided.

"It has been boarded up for a long time now and presents an unsightly picture to visitors arriving in Halifax by road," she said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Danielle Durrans, cabinet member for public services and communities said the procurement process would require a full tender exercise.

"Once a contractor has been appointed, a programme of works will be agreed.

"It is currently anticipated that the works will commence late autumn," she said.

The mural has been on display at the pool since 1966

Durrans also confirmed a ceramic mural, British Pond Life, by ceramic artist Kenneth Barden had been photographed and preserved for future use, but the original was unlikely to be saved.

Hirst Conservation visited site in March and undertook a detailed assessment of the viability of removing and retaining the murals.

A report in April determined removal of the murals would be very difficult and very costly, and it would be likely that the tiles and artwork would be significantly damaged during any removal process.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.