‘Save Yearsley Pool’ campaign backed by opposition councillors
But now the rallying cry is applied to another facility under threat: Yearsley Swimming Pool on Haley’s Terrace, York.
In September City of York Council said it would cut the £250,000 annual subsidy given to Yearsley from 2016.
Campaigners say that puts the pool under threat and a petition against closure, set-up by the Yearsley Pool Action Group, has been signed by more than 4,000 people.
Now Liberal Democrat and other opposition councillors have joined together to call for action to safeguard the pool’s future.
They are calling for a scrutiny review to be set-up to explore ways to reduce the subsidy given to Yearsley – but secure its long-term future beyond 2016.
“There is widespread agreement that while the subsidy given to Yearsley should be reduced the pool should not be abandoned and left to its fate by the council after 2016,” said Lib Dem group leader Cllr Keith Aspden.
“Yearsley is too special and too valued by local residents to let this happen.
“Our scrutiny review would get councillors, officers, the action group and all interested parties around the same table and talking about how to secure the future of the pool.
“This could be by exploring ways to increase revenue at the pool or cut overheads.”