THE next few months are likely to be crucial for the future of the long-closed Broomhill lido in the town.

The borough is working with leisure company Fusion Lifestyle to develop a future strategy to restore and operate the pool – but that depends on the success of a multi-million pound lottery bid.

Councillor with responsibility for leisure Bryony Rudkin told last night’s full meeting of the borough that Fusion was working hard to draw up detailed proposals.

She said: “Fusion Lifestyle continues to progress matters with the pool.

“They have appointed a consultant to look at funding options, and have been liaising with a number of potential external funders and have met with the Broomhill Pool Trust and Sport England.

“They are in the process of trying to arrange further meetings including with the Heritage Lottery Fund.”

The cost of the restoration of the pool has been estimated at �5million. The borough has offered �1m towards this and Fusion itself is expected to put in some investment – but up to �3m could be needed from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A spokeswoman for Fusion did not want to add anything further to Mrs Rudkin’s comment at the council meeting,

However the Star understands borough officials are hopeful that Fusion will step up its efforts to secure the redevelopment of Broomhill because it has recently signed an agreement to take on a leisure complex at High Wyc-ombe in Buckinghamshire.

A borough source told the Star: “Now that agreement has been reached, we hope Broomhill will move forward.”

Mark Ling from the Broomhill Trust said: “We are hopeful that things will get moving now – this is the crucial period.

“Fusion have a good track record. They have already secured two lottery grants but this is by far the largest bid they have sought so it obviously needs to be handled with great care.”

Fusion wants to develop a year-round leisure complex at the site with a gym and other facilities alongside the pool.

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