ALMOST 40 years ago Skipton's Urban District Council scraped together £120,000 to make a 10-year dream for an indoor community swimming Pool at Aireville Park come true. Today that amount might not even buy you a house in town!

The closure of the pool this weekend is an historic moment for many local people as thousands recall the days they learnt to swim in its waters.

The baths were open on May 14 1964 by Anita Lonsbrough MBE, who gave a swimming display.

But Aireville Pool was not the first public pool in Skipton. The first baths were erected on the east side of Shortbank Road in 1906 by John Scott when he leased from the council three old reservoirs.

One was converted into a covered pool and one was used as an outdoor pool. The highest reservoir was eventually filled in.

The council bought them in 1909. The outdoor pool was closed in 1959 but the covered bath received improvements from time to time.

After the war the question of providing new baths was raised and as early as 1947 plans were drawn up showing how Aireville Park could be developed.

It took another 10 years before the idea was taken seriously and another seven to draw up plans and raise the money.

Second time round it has taken almost as long!

For at least seven years Craven District Council has been talking about replacing Aireville Pool and when two Lottery bids were unsuccessful it looked as though the plans would falter.

The rundown pool became the subject of much criticism, as councillors were reluctant to spend money on it because of the possibility of a new facility.

Councillors and officers persisted and in March last year their work paid off when Sport England announced it would grant £2.2 million to the scheme - the largest lottery award ever given in Craven.

Work is now almost complete on the £3.5 million six-lane 25-metre pool and the learner pool.

The centre, to be named Craven Swimming Pool, will also contain a new 35-work station fitness suite, steam room, sauna, 50-seater caf, changing village, all with facilities for people who have disabilities.

The last chance to use Aireville Pool is Sunday. From Monday the car park and building will be cordoned off, and only pedestrian access to the park will remain.

On March 31 the pool will be bulldozed and local people will get their first proper glimpse of the new pool standing behind it.

The original Aireville Pool foundation stone will be placed in the groundworks on the site of the demolished pool with a commemorative plaque.