Leisure shake-up is facing opposition

BOTH Shaw and Royton will not see new pools in the council plans to shake up the borough’s leisure facilities.

Protesters heard last night one or both baths could be closed — but only one could be replaced, according to council leader Jim McMahon.

A consultation is currently taking place to determine the future of Royton Sports Centre and Crompton Pool and Fitness Centre.

Councillor McMahon said: “Royton and Crompton pools need to be refurbished or replaced because they are not in adequate condition.

“We are not going to sign off that those districts get two pools, because it will be disproportionate to what other areas have.”

Campaigners to save Crompton pool, based in Shaw, dominated the audience at the Question Time.

Shaw resident Joanne Ryan, a member of the Shaw and District Disabled Association said the association holds one-hour fortnightly sessions at Shaw baths and now face the threat of that ending after more than 30 years.

She said: “It’s the only pool that has a dedicated one-hour session and we pay £1,820 for 26 sessions.

“We pay for that ourselves through our fund-raising. We will carry on campaigning.”

Concerns were raised that the original proposal for Glodwick Leisure Pool to close or to be transferred to the community had been changed to simply closure.

But Councillor Hugh McDonald, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “At the present time there is no decision to be made until the consultation is over.”

The consultation runs until November 20. A decision on the pools’ fate will be made at December’s cabinet meeting.