A LOAN of up to £160,000 could be provided by Northumberland County Council to secure the future of Haltwhistle’s outdoor swimming pool.

Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre urgently requires up to £180,000 to replace ancient boilers and other equipment, which have not been upgraded since the facility opened in 1975.

More than £20,000 has already been raised, while a campaign was launched last week in a bid to find much needed capital.

But now it has emerged that the centre, which runs as an independent charity, has asked the local authority for a bailout loan.

If approved, Haltwhistle Town Council, a long-term supporter of the leisure centre, would act as guarantor.

Chairing a meeting of Haltwhistle Town Council on Monday, Councillor Alan Sharp said: “An application for a loan of £160,000 has been requested, which will go before a meeting of the full county council, in September.

“A condition of any loan would be that Haltwhistle Town Council guarantees the loan in case of any default on the part of the swimming pool.”

Last week, centre manager Maxine Wilson insisted that there was no short term threat to the outdoor pools.

But Coun. Sharp said securing the loan would enable the leisure centre to fast track the scheme to replace the aging plant room equipment.

He said replacing the equipment during the coming winter would avoid further maintenance costs in the existing boiler room.

Coun. Sharp added: “It’s very important that work can start in September at the end of the summer swimming season.”

Last week, staff and volunteers at the centre launched a new fund-raising campaign ‘Our dolphin needs a new heart’.

Of the £20,000 raised so far, over £17,000 has come from Section 106 funding.

It is understood the centre has applied to other funding providers.

To support the campaign, visit the centre or call (01434) 320727.