Rossendale Leisure Review

Posted By: Jason Michael Gledhill
Date Posted: 14/02/2010

This week will see the Councils's Cabinet make recommendations to Full Council on investing into the Borough's Leisure facilities.

There are some really exciting plans for developing both the Haslingden Sports Centre with a new pool and major improvements at Marl Pits. Several millions of pounds will need to be spent to provide first class facilities for all the residents of Rossendale.

The new facilities will be opening in early 2012, Olympic Year, if the Council gives the go ahead.

There are however tough decisions to make on spending and if the Borough is to have fantastic new facilities we have to prioritise where money is to be spent on leisure within the existing foot print of leisure facilities.

The plan has always been, and continues to be, to try every avenue to keep Bacup Leisure Hall open. It was sad that a community takeover solution has not come forward that met the needs of local residents, as defined by the steering group made up of local residents. That was despite some very hard work from a few people.

The Hall is however staying open until every option has been appraised, so work continues to find the best way forward.

I know some people feel that Bacup is being left out of the leisure investment, particularly as the pool there closed about 18 years ago. The Council continues to invest in the sites at Whitworth, Haslingden and Marl Pits but is working hard to see what is the best way to invest in a facility in Bacup. A facility that local residents want and will use.

I'd encourage everyone to look at the Leisure Reports on the Council web-site to get a full picture of what's really happening.