Lido trust vow to carry on

MEMBERS of the Broomhill Pool Trust today remain determined to succeed in their bid to take over the crumbling lido - despite fears that it might be beyond repair.

A feasibility study is due to be undertaken by the trust to establish the condition of the pool, how much it would cost to rebuild, and what potential sources of funding exist.

Pool owner Ipswich Borough Council has agreed to hand the pool over to the trust together with a £1 million dowry if they can establish a credible business plan to restore it - and can raise the rest of the money needed from other sources.

The Trust believes that the cost of restoring the pool could be about £3 million - however The Evening Star revealed last week that council officials believe it would have to be completely rebuilt and the cost of that could reach £7 million and it should not be rebuilt on its current location on the side of a hill.

Trust members feel it is important that the study establishes the likely cost of the work - the £3 million figure they have been working on was originally supplied by the borough council.

Sally Wainman from the Trust said: “This figure was brought up by the borough and includes running costs for the first 10 years.

“We don't know if it's right - and until the Star article we had never heard the £7 million figure before.”

Work on the study should get under way later this year and it should be published during the first half of 2006.

The Trust then has until March 2007 to raise the balance of any money it needs to match the £1 million from the council.

Fellow Trust member Mike Cook said members had been concerned by suggestions that the cost could be as high as £7 million.

He said: “There have been many figures mentioned over the years, but nothing as high as this. If it is that high then we would have to think again but it is vital to get all the information we can through the feasibility study.”