Two-for-four plan in massive leisure shake-up
Reporter: Andrew Rudkin
Date published: 08 March 2012
OLDHAM’S controversial Leisure Estate review is set to give the green light for plans to close four centres — but not until two replacements are built.
The current contract of Oldham Community Leisure (OCL), which runs the borough’s sports and leisure facilities on behalf of the council, will expire in a year. This will prompt a shrinking leisure stock to accommodate the future operating contract — which will ultimately see the planned end of the current Oldham Sports Centre; Royton Sports Centre; Crompton Pool and Fitness Centre and Glodwick Leisure Pool.
Both Royton Sports Centre and Crompton Pool will shut once a replacement is built in Royton town centre — expected to be in 2014.
Around the same time Oldham Sports Centre and Glodwick Leisure Pool will close, following construction of a new Oldham Sports Centre.
The two-for-four plan — set to be ratified at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday — looks set to go ahead despite the report’s indication that Oldham is already the “poor relation” in swimming pool provision, with the lowest number of pools among comparable and neighbouring authorities.
The 101-page report says the construction timelines for the new facilities will be determined once a builder is found, probably by the end of this year.
The new Oldham Sports Centre looks set to be built in a currently undisclosed town centre site, but away from its current decaying home in Lord Street.
Plans include a 25-metre, eight-lane pool, a learner pool, large fitness gym, four-court sports hall (which is half the current size), two dance and exercise studios, and a cafe.
Councillor Hugh McDonald, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “The purpose of this business case and proposals is to ensure every district has fit-for-purpose and high-quality leisure facilities that reflect the needs and aspirations of residents.
“If approved by Cabinet this can deliver two new modern leisure facilities in Oldham and Royton town centres, and in schemes that will contribute significantly to regeneration of the wider areas.
“This can be delivered by increased efficiencies from a new leisure operator contract — delivering better value for money for council tax payers — and Oldham Council investing money to improve the leisure facilities on offer to residents.”
A new £1million indoor bowling hall is also proposed: this produced much of the feedback relating to the extensive consultation on the “flagship” centre. Initial fears were the indoor-bowlers would lose their home — the only one in a 10-mile radius.
Christine Griffiths, secretary of the Vets Indoor Bowling League, said: “The pressure from the bowlers looks to have influenced the council and if these plans go ahead then it is great news.”
Among its 101 pages the report suggests the transfer of Failsworth Sports Centre to Failsworth School’s trust. The trust is in discussion with the council.
The local authority say “careful consideration” is being taken to potentially transfer “smaller and more marginal” facilities to other providers, including community organisations, excluding them from the future contract.
The former Grange School artificial grass pitch could be transferred to Oldham College and Bishop’s Park Pitch and Putt at Grains Bar could be handed to a charitable trust.
The report also recommends that grass pitch booking in the borough returns in-house.
John McCann, Liberal Democrat and Saddleworth South councillor, said: “This is a major chance for the borough to progress and improve facilities but there must be financial prudence and viability with a consensus if at all possible about what and where.”
