Copeland councillors are about to vote on whether or not to support the extension of the borough’s main swimming pool, Copeland Pool, at Helsingham.

A detailed feasibility study has shown there is demand for fitness facilities in the area and the pool extension would increase the income generated by council-owned leisure facilities. It would also help address some of the poor health indicators in north Copeland.

If it gets the go ahead, the £700,000 project would add a new fitness centre, which would become a further income generator and would allow the council to pay less of a subsidy to its contractor, North County Leisure. Work would begin on the centre immediately, with the completion scheduled for April 2014 and a launch in May.

Funds are already in place: Sports England Inspired Facilities would provide £150,000; Copeland Community Fund a £300,000 grant and a capital loan of up to £263,000 from Copeland Borough Council.

Councillor Hugh Branney, Copeland’s portfolio holder for community regeneration, says this investment is a big decision: “We are in challenging economic circumstances, so a decision whether to invest leisure facilities is a significant one. However, we recognise that good leisure facilities are something which local authorities have long provided, recognising the importance they play in promoting healthy lifestyles.

“It is also important that we emphasise this investment is a one-off use of capital funding. This means that it is not money that could have been used to provide other services, which are funded through ongoing revenue budgets.”