Senior Conservative councillors met today to approve spending a further £2m on pumping grout into a void underneath Ripon Leisure Centre.
It’s hoped the works will stabilise the ground so the leisure centre can be refurbished.
But it will take the total amount of money spent on the works to £8.5m with no guarantee that it will succeed.
Ripon is susceptible to voids and sinkholes because it lies on a layer of water-soluble rock called gypsum.
Ripon’s Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre opened in March 2022 but whilst the pool is in use, plans for a gym at the existing leisure centre on the same site were delayed after the void was discovered.
Instead, a temporary gym was erected in the site’s car park costing £300,000.
The council’s executive met in Northallerton this morning to rubber-stamp the additional spend on ground stabilisation works.
There was no discussion about the move other than Tory council leader Carl Les asking his executive to “yet again” approve more money being spent on the leisure centre works. It was voted for unanimously by councillors.
As of last month, there has been almost 3,000 tonnes of grout pumped into the void.
Retired chartered engineer Stanley Mackintosh campaigned against the site being used for the leisure centre due to the gypsum issues.
A decision to build on the site was taken by Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished last year to make way for the new unitary authority.
Mr Mackintosh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the ground stabilisation works has become a literal example of a “sunk cost fallacy” for the council.
Speaking earlier this month, North Yorkshire Council’s Conservative executive member for leisure, Cllr Simon Myers said:
“It is disappointing that the overall project is now estimated at £8.5million but we believe Ripon deserves good quality leisure facilities.
“If we had decided not to proceed with the stabilisation works and looked to move the leisure centre side of the operation to another area, we would have had the pool and leisure centre in separate locations which is not only more costly for us to operate, but also not the best option for customers either.”

Vale of York services given go-ahead despite "rape of countryside" claim
Traffic to use new A59 Kex Gill route for first time tomorrow
Annual Tour de Aky set to hit £10,000 target
Harrogate bus staff nominated for national award
Parking warning issued after Burnsall car park closes
Spire Harrogate Clinic earns top housekeeping award
Otley music studio launches six-week daytime courses
New guide helps families find free and low-cost summer fun
Much-loved Slingsby Gin becomes new Festivals' partner
Princess Royal to become Great Yorkshire Show President
Concern over lack of consultation ahead of Lifeline cuts decision
Animal charity launches £2 million redevelopment appeal
Sneak peek: New Otley play area starts to take shape
Historic Harrogate pub named among the UK's best by The Telegraph
Police appeal to find wanted Harrogate man
Harrogate MP calls on new Prime Minister to overhaul 'broken' water industry
Harrogate nursery children get messy for International Mud Day
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show to celebrate 50th anniversary
Ripon swimming sensation secures dream move to US university
First look at Ripon Workhouse Museum after £2.8million refurb


