How it all started, and what stage is it at now?

From the seed of an idea

Yorkshire Swim Works was conceived during a lockdown quest to find amazing + safe places to swim outdoors. 

Collaborative thinking

The idea was shared with a group of expansive thinkers, and has grown into a project with real potential. 

Pro-bono support

A substantial amount of pro-bono time has been given to the project in its foundation years. Please let us know if you think your expertise can help to make Yorkshire Swim Works vision become a reality. 

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An important foundation 

Yorkshire Swim Works sparked the imagination of Bradford Council in 2021, aligning with several key priorities in the Council Plan. They awarded a research grant of £4500 in April 2022 to create a visual identity and to explore the economic opportunity of bringing a unique outdoor swimming leisure facility to the region.
 
In May 2022 Yorkshire Swim Works launched publicly, and caught national media attention from The Guardian, the BBC and The Yorkshire Post.
 
Throughout 2021 and 2022, time was dedicated to light touch community and stakeholder engagement with the aim of securing the proposed site of the former Victorian water treatment works above Thornton Moor.
 
In January 2023 a Community Interest Company was formed, and a fundraising strategy was developed to purchase the site as a community asset, but unfortunately the landholders sold the site at Auction in July 2023 (despite an emergency 10-day crowd fund which enabled a competitive bid).

Time to find the perfect site

The community and Bradford Council still want Yorkshire Swim Works to go-ahead, so we plan to find a new site.

Alongside the hunt for a unique location, we will develop a flexible business plan and continue to engage with our community and wider stakeholders.

We will continue to apply for grant funding and attract investment for the capital expenditure. Opportunities will be available for phased/partial development, or for the entire project.

Partnership development will also be key to the next chapter of Yorkshire Swim Works to ensure its development is sustainable and happens for all the right reasons:

  • to serve the community
  • to connect people with nature
  • to encourage participation in outdoor swimming
  • to offer a training and events venue for triathlon
  • to boost the local economy and tourism
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