Hundreds oppose closure of pool

THE proposed closure of Crompton Swimming Pool has sparked a wave of opposition from residents

Oldham Council Cabinet

CAMPAIGNERS in their hundreds vented their opposition to the proposed closure of Crompton Pool and Fitness Centre — but their efforts are likely to end in failure.

More than 1,000 people expressed their views as part of the consultation in to the reorganisation of Oldham’s pools and leisure centres.

It was dominated by residents wanting to keep Crompton baths open or refurbish the existing pool.

Under the plans, Royton, Shaw and Crompton will have one new leisure facility — which also means the likely closure of Royton Sports Centre, which attracted only 19 responses.

The consultation, which Oldham Council said has been “extensive”, has now ended and Cabinet members last night agreed to the building of a new leisure centre — which is likely to be located at Royton and Crompton School or in Royton town centre.

A total of 778 people responded to the proposal to close and replace Crompton Pool — with 92 per cent against the plan.

One resident said: “Crompton Pool has been here for over 100 years. It’s part of the community and is well used.

“Shutting the pool would be a sad loss for all of Shaw and have an impact on younger generations.”

An aspiration to build a replacement Oldham Sports Centre was also agreed.

Oldham’s sports and leisure facilities are currently provided by Oldham Community Leisure (OCLL), but this contract is due to expire in March, 2013.

Maggie Kufeldt, Oldham Council’s assistant executive director for strategic commissioning, said: “It is fair to say the consultation was dominated with responses about the proposed closure of the Crompton Pool and Fitness Centre and 72 per cent of the individual responses were about this proposal.

“But the Glodwick and Oldham Sports Centres also brought significant responses.

“The new leisure proposals are designed to develop an exciting yet efficient leisure offering that delivers revenue and savings and offers excellent value for money to council taxpayers.”

Almost 100 people responded to the proposed closure of Glodwick Leisure Pool and just over a 100 regarding Oldham Sports Centre’s proposed refurbishment or replacement.

Councillor Hugh McDonald, cabinet member for children, young people, family and leisure, said potential relocation sites have not yet been identified.

He said: “It has been a very comprehensive report and we have had a number of objections or comments mainly around Glodwick, Shaw and the centre of Oldham.

“I was glad to see the amount of interest at this stage and the officers will be going away to do more work on it.

“At this stage we have not identified the location of the replacement sites and that will be done at a later meeting.”

This meeting is set to be later this month.