The reopening of Richmond Swimming Pool is set to be delayed after asbestos was found during repair work.
North Yorkshire Council says the venue is now due to reopen in the early autumn after initially stating that the work would take around six months when approval for the repairs was given in October last year.
Council officials say sealed asbestos has been found in the roof space during work to repair the ceiling after it partially collapsed.
They say the work needs to be extended to allow for the safe removal of the asbestos.
The substance was encapsulated so it has not posed any health risk to swimmers or other users of the building, officers say
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for leisure, Councillor Simon Myers, said: “We all want the swimming pools in Richmond to reopen as soon as possible, so they can continue to benefit communities and support our county-wide vision to promote health and wellbeing.
“The identification of asbestos means some extra work is required to allows its safe removal. However, I would like to reiterate that the asbestos has not posed any risk whatsoever to anybody who has previously used the facilities.
“The repair programme is already underway and is now likely to run into the early autumn. Where possible, we are looking to expedite some of the other works to give us the best chance of reopening the pools at the earliest opportunity.”
The £1.2m repair work was authorised by the council after more than 2,200 people took part in a consultation exercise about the facility.
Cllr Myers said: “What became abundantly clear from the public survey was that Richmond Swimming Pool is an incredibly valued and vital part of the town’s fabric.
“I am delighted that this will remain the case as a result of our commitment.
“I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing patience and cooperation, and I look forward to seeing the facilities used and enjoyed again by the public as soon as possible.”
The venue, renamed Active North Yorkshire Richmond by the council, has been closed since April last year following the ceiling’s partial collapse.
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I think it maybe should have been demolished some year’s ago as it may have been cheaper in the long run than pouring more and more of our taxpayers money on this old one.
What a Money Pit, time to draw stumps and utilise the Funding elsewhere, Home to School Transport comes to mind!!