Otley Lido a step closer to re-opening for first time in 30 years
An online fundraiser raised over £50,000 in just five weeks.
Otley Lido is a step closer to re-opening - for the first time in almost 30 years.
The Friends of Otley Lido group started a last-ditch Crowdfunder campaign last month - after years of fundraising had failed to raise the money they needed.
They've now managed to raise £53,000 - which will allow them to pay for surveys - to move the plans to bring the Lido back to life on to the planning stage.
The group's ambition for a heated lido with a retractable roof is being supported by Triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee MBE, who regularly trains in Otley.
Friends of Otley Lido chair Leonie Sharp said: "We are absolutely delighted and overjoyed at having reached our target. We went into this very nervous because, for us, it really was ‘all or nothing’. We have worked tirelessly for five years to get us to this point and had a feeling that with everything going on in the last 18 months, we were at just the right moment.
"The last 18 months have demonstrated how vital our local community is to our townsfolk and having a local swimming pool and community centre really will be a fantastic addition to our town. We want to thank all the 800 plus supporters and the many, many businesses and organisations who donated goods and services for us to pledge.
"It is for that reason we secured the backing of Sports England who pledged £13,500; Otley Town Council who reaffirmed their pledge of £5,000; Otley BID who pledged £5,000 and Otley Chamber of Trade who pledged £1,000. "