Rebuild talks as fire-ravaged leisure centre to be bulldozed
Staff redeployed to other sites after suspected arson attack
TALKS over the future of a leisure centre are set to start and last for a number of weeks after the much-loved facility was destroyed in a fire being investigated by police.
Discussions between Salford council and Salford Community Leisure, which runs Clarendon Leisure Centre, are expected to involve finance options and consider the possibility of a rebuild.
The development was revealed as SCL confirmed all staff working at Clarendon have been ‘redeployed’ to its other centres or services in Salford.
Steve Hassall, the chief executive officer, told the M.E.N. that all associated with the centre were ‘still coming to terms with the tragic incident.’ He said comments they have received since the fire in the early hours of Friday ‘show how important this venue was for the community, with so many people sharing such fond memories.’
“It is terribly sad to see this taken away from them,” Mr Hassall said.
It comes as the M.E.N. revealed fireravaged parts of the decades-old leisure centre on Liverpool Street – loved and used by generations – are expected to be torn down tomorrow after the suspected arson attack.
Firefighters are said to be working with the council and a demolition company to ‘keep the scene safe’ and discuss the next options.
In an update yesterday, Greater Manchester Police said: “Investigators are establishing the exact cause of the fire and work is ongoing to piece together the timeline of events.
“The incident is currently being treated as suspicious, and officers are keen for anyone with any information that could help the investigation to come forward.”
Leisure centre bosses said Clarendon – known locally as ‘Clarendon Rec’ – ‘provided essential sport and leisure opportunities for the local community for over 40 years.’ The centre was due to be reopened next month ‘after significant investment into refurbishment and a brand new state-of-the-art gym,’ they added.
At the height of the blaze, eight fire engines from across the city-region were mobilised to the scene, together with specialist appliances. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels and jets to bring the blaze under control and prevent further spread. JCBs were pictured at the site yesterday – with images showing a wreck of managed and twisted metal.
Mr Hassall told the M.E.N.: “Over the next few weeks, we will be working with Salford City Council to understand the future of the building but all employees from this centre have currently been redeployed to one of our other facilities or services.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log 318 of 10 May 2024.