NORTON'S Derwent Pool could get a huge facelift.

Ryedale District Council is in talks with the firm that runs the pool following an offer to build a bigger and better fitness suite there.

Chief executive of Ryesport Peter Walker has an offer from Competition-Line UK to spend over a quarter of a million pounds on the centre. Already, preliminary sketches on how the suite could look have been prepared by architect Rik Blenkharn and outline costings drawn up.

In a letter to Ryedale's chief executive, Harold Mosley, he said Competition-Line UK believed it would get a good return for its £270,000 investment if it were to go ahead. Now the council has agreed in principle to the extension of the building that would be necessary.

Not only had Competition-Line UK offered to put up the money, it was prepared to guarantee that Ryesport would still get the same levels of income from the centre as it does now.

In view of the private company's offer, Mr Walker asked the council if it would upgrade the swimming pool at the same time.

A consultant's report on the Derwent Pool, commissioned two and a half years ago, said it would cost many thousands of pounds to put the pool right.

Marie-Ann Jackson, deputy chief executive of Ryedale District Council, with a brief for leisure, said: "The pool is old, but it is very well used. It has been the subject of debate in the past. Ryedale District Council is, in partnership with Ryesport, investigating the offer at the moment."

Peter Walker said the use of Derwent Pool had reached saturation point.

Updated: 10:09 Thursday, November 15, 2001