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Last night, opposition Labour councillors hit out at the final cost of the scheme that will leave the city with such a big bill.
The Liberal Democrat administration said Liverpool had waited decades for a world-class swimming pool, which is due to open next month.
Leisure leader Cllr Colin Eldridge said: “I find it incredible that anyone should criticise the council for having the vision and ambition to build this fantastic, much-needed new facility.”
The new pool includes a moveable floor, meaning the eight-lane 50m pool can be split in two to cater for different groups. It also has a separate 20m warm-up pool.
The roof is held up with timber beams to let light into the building, and absorb sound.
Fitness studios and the gym at the centre have also been upgraded as part of the project.
It will cost about £800,000 in running costs to keep the state-of-the-art centre open, which is similar to the upkeep on the run-down crumbling Victorian pool it replaces.
Labour spokesman on culture, media, and sport Cllr Steve Rotheram said: “One of the criticisms the Labour group used to get from the Liberal Democrats was about all the borrowing under Militant – that seems a little hollow now.
“The taxpayers of the city are going to be saddled with paying this debt for 20 years.”
Cllr Eldridge added: “Liverpool has waited decades for a world-class swimming pool.
“It puts us on a par with cities like Birmingham and Sheffield who have had facilities like this for years.”
He said it was a “travesty” the city’s team of international swimmers, including Olympic medallist Stephen Parry, have not been able to train in their own city and have faced a round trip of 70 miles to train.
Source:
Liverpool Daily Post
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