£5m splashed out on new pool

The new pool and diving facility will cost £14.5m

Work is to start on a new swimming pool in Leeds thanks to a £5m lottery grant.

The Sport England money will go towards the cost of building the new £14.5m pool next to the South Leeds Stadium.

It will replace the present Leeds International Pool at Westgate which will be closed and the site sold.

But some swimmers have expressed anger at the plan, saying it will mean there is nowhere in the city centre for them to swim at lunchtimes and before work.

The city council says work on the new facility will start around mid-2004 and be completed by the summer of 2006.

The current Westgate pool will not close until the new site is opened.

Councillor Judith Blake, the deputy leader of Leeds City Council, said: "For some time it has been obvious to everyone that the Westgate pool was no longer meeting the needs of people in Leeds, particularly our superb swimming and diving squads.

"The new pool at South Leeds Stadium will be a first class facility for schools, community groups and aquatics clubs in the city."

An artist's impression of the new pool's interior

David Gent, the regional director for Sport England added: "This pool complex, together with existing world-class facilities at South Leeds Stadium will all encourage local people to start, stay and succeed in sport, putting Yorkshire even more firmly on the map of sporting success."

The proposed Swimming and Diving Centre will include a 50 metres by 25 metres main pool with a 10m floating floor and movable boom.

The separate diving pool will include a diving tower with boards up to 10m high, along with other spring boards.

There will also be an aerobics studio, dry land training area, cafe, meeting rooms and office space along with pool-side seating for 800 spectators.

The proposal has the backing of the city of Leeds Swimming, diving and water polo clubs along with the British Sub-Aqua Club, Leeds Lifesaving Club and Leeds Canoe Club.