AN under-threat community swimming pool has been thrown a lifeline just days before it was due to close.

Sharples Swimming Pool was earmarked for closure on Sunday, July 31, unless money could be found to keep it running, and a "Save our Pool" campaign was launched

Now Town Hall chiefs have handed over £500,00 to keep the pool open and residents are being urged to "use it or lose it".

Sharples School took on the Leisure Centre from Bolton Council on June 1 this year.

The gym, sports hall and outdoor facilities were not under threat but the pool would close after July 31.

Since the school has been exploring ways to retain it for use by the school and the community.

Running costs were described as "prohibitively high", and the facility was said to have been making a loss for the council for a number of years.

Governors and senior staff say they have held meetings to try and find alternative options to closure of the pool.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough, a school governor said it would be “unfair and inappropriate” to expect the school to subsidise community use out of its education budget.

Bolton Council has agreed to make the £500,000 donation for repair and capital expenses as well for staff and pool maintenance. This will give the school 12 months to increase community usage in order to fund it in the future.

The headteacher of Sharples School said it cost £100,000 to run the pool a year. The council awarded £400,000 for repairs and maintenance of the leisure centre and have now been given an additional £100,000 to keep the pool running for an additional year

Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “I’m happy to help out Sharples School with some funding for the leisure centre, with the aim of retaining some community use of the pool. The facility has been in the community for several years and the council is delighted to have the opportunity to support the school.”

John Daly, Director of People fully support the plan.

Already three primary schools who were having to move their pupils’ swimming lessons from Sharples to other pools several miles away have returned.

Headteacher Rachel Quesnel said: "I am delighted that we are able to work in collaboration with the council to continue to provide this invaluable resource to the community. There are residents who have used and valued the centre for decades and were really concerned about it closing.

"We are very happy that they can continue to use the pool for at least another year, thanks to the council's support. It will then be up to the community to ‘use it or lose it’ and hopefully we can then continue to keep it open".

The Sharples Community Leisure Centre comprises: a fully equipped fitness suite; sports hall and gym; 22.5’ swimming pool; changing rooms; MUGA pitch; expansive sports fields and hard play areas. If you are interested in providing classes or services at the Centre including the pool, or wish to hire any of the spaces for parties or other activities should contact: j.bentley@sharpelsschool.co.uk.