People are furious
The debate over the future of publicly-owned council leisure centres has stepped-up, following this week’s announcement of plans to close Whitworth Leisure Centre in Rossendale.
Whitworth Leisure Centre, which includes gyms and a pool, became part of the leisure trust’s remit three years ago. Previously it was run by an organisation called Community Leisure Association Whitworth . The trust, services and facilities been discussed at various council meetings. There have been a number of organisational changes, mergers and some financial challenges. The changes have seen the trust widen from a sport and leisure focus to include museum, culture and catering activities. Also this year, the trust’s former boss Ken Masser departed and Samantha Sandford became the new chief executive.
“We know how much the baths mean to residents and how our community pulled together to save them when they were threatened with closure in the past. Sadly, the baths have been allowed to reach such a state that this is not an option this time around. She said: “Back in 2012, we recognised that non-statutory services like leisure would not survive the government’s austerity measures. So, over the next eight years we started to build a sustainable organisation. Investing in facilities such as the climbing wall at the Adrenaline centre in Haslingden.
“Rossendale Leisure Trust and our staff were instrumental in delivering that support via Rossendale Connected. Although it was a very difficult period, we were able to find our way through the massive impacts the pandemic had on both the leisure trust and the council. In part, due to government support. However, that same level of support has not been made available to councils or leisure providers in response to the cost-of-living crisis.
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