Carnforth Community Swimming Pool: £250k extension opened

Carnforth town mayor, councillor Jim Grisenthwaite, and Lancashire county councillor for Lancaster Rural North and county council leader, Phillippa Williamson, officially opened Carnforth Community Swimming Pool’s latest addition on April 24.

Mr Grisenthwaite said: “Carnforth Community Pool has been a wonderful asset for the town since it was first opened by Lancashire County Council in 1978 to address growing concerns around swimming fatalities locally in quarries and rivers.

The Westmorland Gazette: Councillor Jim Grisenthwaite opening the extensionCouncillor Jim Grisenthwaite opening the extension (Image: Carnforth Town Council)

“Since the pool was transferred to a charitable trust in 2018 there has been a steady improvement in its facilities culminating in the building and opening of the new extension that will help to maintain the pool’s growing popularity with primary schools from as far afield as Grayrigg and Heysham as well as adult groups and individual members of the public from Carnforth and the surrounding area.

“The extension has been made possible not only through successful grant applications but also by the generous help of the pool’s very loyal supporters.

“The pool staff also deserve great credit for their fundraising initiatives and dedication.”

The new extension provides extra storage, a disabled toilet on the ground floor and lift access to a viewing gallery and cafe area on the first floor that can be used independently of the pool itself.

The project management was undertaken by John Blowes, chairman of the board of trustees, and built by Hetheringtons, a regional construction firm.

The Westmorland Gazette | North Lancs