Coun Gareth Molineux
Cabinet member for education, leisure and arts
LIKE many of us I’ve been out and about with my family over the summer holidays making the most of the glorious sunshine - walking, cycling and picnicking in Hyndburn’s fabulous parks and open spaces, eight of which were awarded the prestigious Green Flag this year.
It’s also great to see the transformation of historic Rhyddings Park in Oswaldtwistle now completed, with lots of visitors enjoying the brand new facilities with a range of events and the new community hub and café bringing in visitors old and new.
A lot of hard work goes into improving our parks and a huge thank you goes to all the fabulous community groups and volunteers who give their time and energy to help make this happen.
Talking about transformations, Hyndburn Leisure recently re-opened the gyms at Hyndburn and Mercer Hall Leisure Centres on the back of a significant investment in refurbishing the facilities and providing new kit. Hyndburn Leisure worked closely with Technogym, Show Off Media and a number of local contractors to transform the gym facilities with a modern refurbishment including decorating, lighting, sound and a fantastic range of new equipment.
The centres attract over 300,000 visits per year and the new gym facilities and improvements to the fitness studios will encourage people to attend and take on an active lifestyle.
Hyndburn Leisure provide excellent fitness membership deals which include gym, swimming, sauna and steam, and access to over 200 monthly fitness classes.
The refurbishment compliments other recent investments in leisure facilities including a pool hall refurbishment, new Thermal Suite and Adventure City Soft Play Centre. You can find out more about the refurbishments and how to join by visiting www. hyndburnleisure.co.uk
The football season is in full swing and it’s great to see many improvements in facilities well under way.
Work has started at Norden Playing Fields as Rishton United start to develop the sports ground which includes levelling and drainage work, plus fencing off the pitches.
This is great news for the whole community as it will promote sport for everyone from youngsters through to seniors. The club has worked hard to get the funding to make their dream come alive, so it’s fantastic to see their plans coming to fruition now.
Great Harwood Rovers have moved to their new home, on part of the showground site in Great Harwood, providing the club with their own home venue, changing facility and purpose built football pitches which will secure their future for generations to come.
On the subject of green spaces we’ll soon be asking for your views as the Council reviews its Public Space Protection Orders, which legislate for where dogs need to be on leads and any areas of the Borough where dogs are excluded.
Currently dogs are excluded from children’s playgrounds and bowling green areas and this has really benefitted users of those facilities. Dog owners are also required to keep their dogs on leads in cemeteries and town centres.
Please get involved when the consultation starts, it will be available on the Council’s website soon.