Sheffield City Council won't take over King Edward's Pool after closure
King Edward's Swimming Pool Trust decided to permanently close the facility earlier this year
Sheffield City Council has confirmed it won't take over the running of King Edward's Swimming Pool, after its sudden closure earlier this year.
The iconic 1930s pool was shuttered in May, with the trust running the facility later saying it was 'no longer viable' to remain open.
The site is where generations of Sheffielders learned to swim and the The King Edwards Swimming Pool Trust put their decision down to increased running costs and the pool condition of some of the pool machinery.
In a statement, Sheffield City Council wrote: "The Council recognises that this news will be disappointing for those who have used the pool regularly and who have a strong connection to it."
"The Council would also like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the trustees, staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to maintain and operate the facility over many years.
"Given the importance of the pool to many people, the Council carefully considered whether there was a sustainable case for providing financial or operational support that could enable the facility to continue.
"However, the evidence available shows that the facility would require significant investment before it could safely reopen, alongside substantial ongoing funding to operate it.
"Having reviewed the available evidence, the Council has concluded that taking on responsibility for the facility would not represent a sustainable or strategic use of public resources, given the condition of the building, the level of investment required, the ongoing operating costs and the pool's limited contribution to overall citywide swimming provision."
Future plans for the pool building are unclear. The Trust has said it will surrender its lease.