COUNCIL bosses have pledged to do all they can to secure funding for a diving facility at Grimsby's new swimming pool.
Although there are currently no plans to include diving boards at the new £8.4-million leisure centre, council deputy leader Mick Burnett told the Grimsby Telegraph yesterday that the authority would explore all options in a bid to gain the necessary cash.
However, local MPs Austin Mitchell and Martin Vickers claimed that by pressing ahead with the project the council was "slamming the door" on the possibility of having diving boards at the new Cromwell Road site.
As reported, the lack of a diving board is a major bone of contention with campaigners opposed to the closure of Scartho Baths, which does boast such a facility, but which will close its doors when the new pool is complete in three years time.
And at Thursday night's full council meeting, at which the project was given the green light, two Conservative councillors made a plea for a diving board to be included in the design.
Councillor John Fenty (Con, Humberston and New Waltham), who recalled the thrill of diving into the pool at Scartho Baths as a youngster, said: "I make a plea that we take one step backwards and look at installing diving boards.
"There is a cost proposed to do that. That is in the region of £1.5-million. I would suggest that figure has been plucked out of the sky and it could probably be done for cheaper than that."
Councillor Melanie Dickerson (Con, Wolds) expressed concern that the council could be missing the chance to provide a "stellar" swimming pool for North East Lincolnshire, adding: "I do believe that diving boards should be included wherever we build this pool."
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Burnett (Lab, Croft Baker) said: "We want diving facilities if we can get the money to pay for them but we can't guarantee it. We are working with our MPs to see if we can get some Olympic Legacy funding from the government."
But Cleethorpes MP Mr Vickers said there was little prospect of the council making a successful bid if it "rushed ahead" with the present plan.
And Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said: "It will preclude the possibility of other funding. It will be a big set-back if the new pool doesn't have diving boards. We just want the best for Grimsby and a pool that people will accept and be happy with."
Councillor Burnett added that the new swimming pool would be much more accessible for disabled swimmers.
"Currently at Scartho Baths there is a hoist for getting people into the water which is not very dignified. The new pool will have a moveable floor to lower people into the water."
