Haltwhistle Open Air Pools

Built on the site of old miners welfare facilities, the Haltwhistle open air swimming pool complex was opened on 28^th June 1975.

The pool was brought about by the efforts of the parish councillors of the small town. The cost of £145,000 was funded by grants of £25,000 from the tourist board and £10,000 each from Northumberland County Council and the former Haltwhistle Rural Council. Locals also contributed by subscription of 5p per week and from the rates and grant from an old carnival fund. The land was given by the miners welfare organisation.

Thie site included two outdoor heated swimming pools, patio, a restaurant, bowling green, changing block and car park in a secluded picnic site compound.

The new pool was a success and by October had admitted 17,300 children, 7,000 adults, 3.600 spectators and over 2,000 school children in organised groups.

Despite this, the pool required extra funding from the council, first reporting deficits of £11,000 in 1980.

The facilities were extended in 1987 by the addition of squash courts.

By 1988, the pool was in trouble and the two staff were made redundant and the pool was bailed out by Tyneside District Council to the amount of £14,500 to prevent bankruptcy.

The pool was rescued and then run by Tyneside Council. The manager, David Stobbart, with the pool since opening, was reinstated. He went on to manage the pool until his retirement in 2007.

In 2003, a leisure centre including a sports hall, fitness studio and café was opened as part of the complex.

The pool remains open seasonally and features a giant water slide.