We want Oldham leisure facilities to be the best

Steve Eyre, OCL marketing and communications manager

Oldham Works _ the Chronicle’s campaign to boost Oldham

OLDHAM Community Leisure Ltd, the company that runs 15 centres in the borough, is preparing a bid that looks forward 25 years.

Founded in 2002 as an arms-length management organisation, OCL is hoping to win a long-term contract of between 20 and 25 years.

Marketing and communications manager Steve Eyre believes that such a commitment will enable the organisation to bid for the funds to further upgrade Oldham’s leisure facilities.

He said: “We believe we have already made a huge difference in the time we have been in charge.

“We started with a five-year contract, and won a three-year extension which expires next year.

“Now we want a long-term commitment so we can have state-of-the-art facilities in all of the borough.

“We have centres everywhere, from Failsworth to Uppermill, and we want the ability to compete for funds to ensure that Oldham has the best.

“For OCL to go to the money markets, we need a long-term contract and that is what we will be seeking from Oldham Council.”

Mr Eyre believes OCL has demonstrated its ability to deliver at sites all over Oldham, the latest example being the improved facilities at the refurbished Saddleworth centre in Uppermill, where the upgrade has cost £1.5 million.

This includes a gym and improvements to the swimming pool, and a planned five-a-side football area.

Other improvements include a £30,000 investment in a new indoor bowls carpet at the Oldham Sports Centre.

Mr Eyre concluded: “When we took over we had three gyms — now we have six.

“Now we need the ability to look at the bigger picture and we are working towards our submission at the end of 2010 as we firmly believe we have shown what we can do.”