Plans to bring Broomhill Pool back to its former glory have received a major boost, with a £3.4 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
The Grade II listed art-deco building, constructed in 1938, has been closed for 15 years. Now, fitness and leisure charity Fusion Lifestyle will restore the pool and diving boards, allow the water to be heated and erect a replica clock tower. Additionally, a new health and wellbeing centre is to be built, allowing the pool to generate income all year round.
Ipswich Borough Council has committed £1 million towards the project costs, with the remaining £2 million needed being funded directly by Fusion Lifestyle.
Tim Mills, Director of Business Development at Fusion Lifestyle, said “We are absolutely delighted that our second round submission to the HLF has been successful. Considerable work has been undertaken by Fusion and other partners to reach this point and this is a major milestone on the long journey to restore the Broomhill site. We know that the real work starts now as we strive to bring our ambitious proposals for the site to fruition over the next few years.”
Ipswich Borough Council’s Deputy Leader, Bryony Rudkin, said: “We are so pleased that Fusion’s hard work and skill has paid off. The Council remains committed to supporting the project financially and I would like to thank the Trust for their passion and drive which has helped us get to this stage today.”
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “After 15 years of closure, I’m delighted that this once thriving community asset will be given a new lease of life, and be restored and rejuvenated as a public facility. As one of few remaining interwar lidos, it’s fantastic that this grant, made possible by National Lottery players, has saved Broomhill Pool from further deterioration.”
Construction could start in late 2018, with work set to last for approximately 12 months.
