Plans are being drawn up for a new swimming pool in Keswick.

Alternative schemes which include improving the current leisure centre, replacing it with a different pool or resiting it are all under consideration.

Allerdale council officers are working on the proposals and a decision on the future of the leisure centre could come in six months.

The moves are good news for town resident Tara Booth, who says the current facility doesn’t cater for the demands of locals and visitors and is at the end of its life expectancy.

The Station Road pool has a wave machine and water slide, but Mrs Booth wants to see a new facility that allows users to swim, rather than just play.

The mum-of-two says of the leisure centre: “It is in a bit of a state and at the end of its shelf-life. It is closed for one reason or another for at least one day a month. It is either too hot or too cold or else it is closed for some other reason.

“It would be used more if it was a normal pool.

“We have to travel 15 miles to Cockermouth or Penrith if we want to do any serious swimming.

“With petrol taken into account, it costs £10 each time, which is too much.”

Four years ago, the pool was closed for two months while £200,000-worth of work was carried out on the roof.

Last July, Allerdale councillors were warned that the centre would need to be replaced within 10 years.

Councillor Mike Heaslip, executive member responsible for leisure centres, told fellow councillors decisions would be needed on whether to keep the existing building and invest significantly in it or provide a new pool elsewhere in the Keswick area.

He said that like Workington Leisure Centre at Moorclose, the pool was nearing the end of its lifespan.

Leisure facilities are not a statutory obligation for local authorities, but Allerdale has pumped £9m into the Workington centre.

Mrs Booth adds: “If they can afford to spend £9m on Workington they can provide a proper pool for Keswick.”

Allerdale council leader Alan Smith says discussions over the future of the Keswick pool and leisure facilities are under way.

He added: “We have a range of options and our officers are working on the different ideas.

“Visitors like the fun pool but locals like a tank pool. We are looking at options, but at the end of the day, it is what the people of Keswick want.

“I don’t see any new scheme being as difficult as the Workington centre. It is going to be part of our corporate plan, so we should be under way by the end of this administration in two years’ time.”