Swimming clubs trying to save a North East pool from being closed down for good have issued an appeal for help to turn their plans into reality.
Volunteers are needed to ensure that Birtley Swimming Centre can be brought back into use, after falling victim to council budget cuts. The Durham Road pool is one of two Gateshead Council-run sites that are due to shut next Friday, July 21, under controversial cost-cutting measures.
But there is hope that the pool can be reopened next year, with the Gateshead and Whickham Swimming Club (GAW) and Birtley Amateur Swimming Club working on a bid to take community ownership of the facility. After lodging an initial business case with the council to demonstrate that the centre can be profitable under new management, the clubs are now in need of support to take their proposal for a community asset transfer to the next stage.
