Location for new £5m Minsthorpe pool announced

The report to the council’s cabinet on Tuesday, November 11 will also recommend approving the college runs the pool as a community facility to complement its existing leisure provision.

Coun Les Shaw, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “I’m delighted that Minsthorpe Community College is keen to work with us to enhance their existing community leisure facilities and help provide this much-needed swimming pool for the south east of the district.”

Minsthorpe Swimming Pool in South Elmsall closed down in April last year and the Express backed a campaign to have it reopened or to have a new pool built in the area.

Coun Shaw added: “We had no choice but to close the existing pool and officers have worked hard to find a solution which will allow us to build a modern, fit-for-purpose swimming pool and give local people the high quality leisure facility they deserve.

“Our consultation told us that local people were broadly supportive of Minsthorpe as the location and the majority were not concerned about a provider other than the council running a new pool.

“We will ensure that we have a legal agreement with the college to keep the swimming pool accessible and affordable for all.”

See this week’s Express for the full story.