Imagine a community, health and wellness
venue in the picturesque Otley Riverside
Returning the derelict site to community use
Promoting health
and wellbeing
Connecting Otley Riverside and the community
Boosting opportunities, resources and prosperity
What an amazing space and an incredible opportunity!
Katie White OBE MP (Leeds North West)
Returning the derelict site to community use
An ambitious – but realistic – project to sympathetically redevelop the derelict Otley Baths. Reinstating the historic location and re-establishing the heritage of an outdoor pool in Wharfemeadows Park.
Regenerating the derelict Otley Baths and realising its potential at the heart of Wharfemeadows Park and Otley Riverside.
Preserving and celebrating the heritage
The heritage of Otley Baths includes not only the tangible heritage such as the physical location, buildings, etc. but also the intangible such as the social, cultural and emotional heritage.
We have a plan to capture and preserve the heritage, celebrate it, plus integrate and embed it into the future venue. The latter includes:
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Visually – in the designs for the venue, decor, etc.
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Culturally – our vision, mission and values embody some of the heritage values (e.g. enjoyment, inclusivity, affordability, etc.)
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Operationally – the provision of heritage activities, which encompass not only the pool but the wider riverside, to help people explore, understand and promote the heritage of the pool, riverside and town.
Promoting health and wellbeing
Sustaining a heated pool – open seasonally for six months of the year – as the centrepiece of a vibrant, year-round community, health and wellness hub.
A programme of activities traditionally associated with an outdoor pool – family fun times, casual and fitness swimming, lessons, relaxing and lounging, water based fitness classes, pool hire, etc.
Complemented by a diverse year-round range of ‘dry’ offerings such as – health, wellbeing, social and cultural – activities, events and initiatives.
Providing a free to access community hub to support people to undertake their own 'informal' activities in the riverside. Plus a 'third place' social hub to connect people and help to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
Connecting Otley Riverside and the community
Enhancing Otley Riverside and the town's facilities, encouraging social interaction, and building community cohesion via a free to access community hub and community spaces for hire.
The venue would include a welcoming, free to access community hub – comprising café, riverside terrace and WCs. This would augment the existing resources in the riverside – alongside addressing current deficiencies – enhancing the riverside user experience.
Creating new indoor and outdoor multi-purpose spaces available for hire to meet community demand.
Boosting opportunities, resources and prosperity
Creating a myriad of new opportunities including community, health, wellbeing, social, cultural, and corporate activities and events for residents and workers plus a 'destination' venue to attract visitors to the town.
A commitment to inclusive provision - including accessible facilties, affordable pricing, varied events and activities, and a welcoming atmosphere - plus community spaces for hire to extend the venue's offering and inclusive approach.
Inspiring and enabling participation, learning and development, and volunteering alongside social initiatives to maximise impact.
Boosting the town and wider area's economy through tourism and employment both directly and in partnership with local businesses and business groups. Plus the economic and social value that is delivered by a more active nation, volunteering opportunities, social initiatives, etc.