Quarry Pool Shrewsbury cost error extends consultation

Building a new pool would be the most cost-effective option, a report has shown

A public consultation into the future of a town centre swimming pool has been extended after residents flagged up cost miscalculations.

Shropshire Council said leisure experts it employed to look at the price of renovating or rebuilding the Quarry pool in Shrewsbury had made errors.

A revised report shows a new pool, at Shrewsbury Sports Village or Shrewsbury College, to be most cost-effective.

About 10 of the 1,200 who answered the consultation highlighted the mistakes.

Strategic Leisure's original report showed incorrect operating figures for the Quarry pool, the council said.

The new numbers do not change which option comes out as the most financially viable.

But a rebuild at Shrewsbury Sports Village would bring in £250,295 a year, instead of £194,994 stated in the first report.

'Only fair'

Steve Charmley, cabinet member for leisure services, said: "Due to these changes we felt that it was only fair to extend the consultation."

Bernard Wills, chairman of the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum which is campaigning to keep the pool in the town centre, said: "We didn't think the figures added up or were a true reflection of the situation.

"We have certainly been pushing for the consultation to be extended so I am pleased that's now happened."

There has been a swimming facility at the site next to the Quarry park since 1864 and the current centre was last refurbished in 1994.