Free Family Fun to Celebrate Reopening of Clitheroe Pool

The pool officially reopens on Saturday (November 14) following a £4.25million refurbishment by Ribble Valley Borough Council.

The pool has been closed since April for extensive improvements aimed at keeping the pool open for the next generation.

And from 2 to 3pm and 3 to 4pm this Saturday the pool will host free family fun sessions, with inflatables, spot prizes and a poolside disco.

Although the sessions are free to enter, booking is advised, as places are limited and they are expected to be popular.

Ribblesdale Pool created quite a stir when it was opened in 1972, attracting long queues.

And to bring a bit of nostalgia to the reopening attendees are invited to make a donation of 30p – the pool’s 1971 entry fee – to the mayor’s charities, the Ribble Rivers Trust and Cancer Research UK, in exchange for a slice of celebratory cake.

Simon Hore, leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council, said:

“Ribblesdale Pool matters to this community. It is where generations of children have learned to swim, clubs train and people of all ages come to exercise, meet friends and enjoy themselves.

 

“Without substantial investment, the pool was at risk of being lost, so councillors unanimously decided to invest in its future for the next generation of swimmers.

 

“At a time when communities across the country have experienced pool closures, we are proud to keep Ribblesdale Pool open and are inviting families to help us celebrate this proud moment.

 

“I would like to thank everyone for their patience while this work has taken place and contractors and council staff who have gone to ‘great lengths’ to make it happen.

 

“So come on down on Saturday and join in the fun – you can be assured of a warm welcome and a splashing good time.”

Alongside lessons and club and public swimming, Ribblesdale Pool offers Aquafit, Aqua for Health and Hydrohex fitness sessions, along with a new online booking system.

Swimming timetables, lessons and activity information are available at www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/pool.

Places at the Saturday’s family fun sessions are limited, so grab your spot by phoning the pool on 01200 424825.

Who else made a splash in 1972?

• Swimmer Mark Spitz won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, breaking all world records, while Mary Peters (now Lady Mary Peters) won gold in the pentathlon
• The Miami Dolphins completed the only ever perfect NFL (National Football League) season in history
• Emmerdale Farm, now the UK’s long-running soap, screened its first episode
• The epic gangster movie Godfather, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, was released and became a cinematic masterpiece
• Fashion trends included pantsuits, bell-bottoms, crochet swimsuits and the bikini!