£216,000 award for pool
ALEISURE centre has been awarded £216,000 to reopen its pool.
Whitworth Leisure Centre CIC will receive the money from the Community Ownership Fund.
The news follows months of hard work by the Whitworth Leisure Centre Community Interest Company (CIC) to renovate and improve the facilities at the leisure centre.
This work has seen the gym facilities reopen.
The secured funding will facilitate a meticulous refurbishment of the leisure centre, breathing new life into its facilities.
Key enhancements include essential repairs and maintenance for the large pool and building, the renewal of changing facilities, as well as the creation of an innovative multi-use studio space, making the centre safe and welcoming and able to continue to provide accessible health, leisure and swimming facilities in Whitworth.
Community First Councillor for Healey and Whitworth Ward, Alan Neal, said: “This is indeed excellent news for our community.
“Having said that the real credit needs to be given to our very good friends from Whitworth Leisure Centre CIC.
“Their wonderful volunteers, who deserve our heart-felt thanks, who have made an outstanding contribution and the business case to the Community Ownership Fund, the other people who have worked tirelessly are the Mayor Cllr Mike Royds, and the Clerk Rachael Hodson, both of whom have gone beyond their call of duty.”
Ruth Hempsall Jones, from Whitworth Leisure
Centre CIC, said: “We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming support received from the community, all of our volunteers, and every person involved in this journey so far.
“The fundraising from each individual, businesses and our members has been nothing short of incredible.
“This achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished when a community comes together to save community facilities.”
Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: “Everyone locally was devastated when Rossendale Council closed Whitworth Leisure Centre last year, so it’s fantastic news that the pool is set to reopen thanks to £216,000 of funding from Government.
“I know how hard Whitworth Leisure CIC have worked on this bid and want to congratulate them on their success.
“I’m thrilled that my lobbying of ministers down in London has worked to ensure they did the right thing and backed the reopening of Whitworth pool.
“Now I will be pressing Rossendale Council to do their bit and provide the money they promised some time ago to ensure this can go ahead.”
The Government’s Community Ownership fund is designed to allow community groups to take ownership of assets at risk of being lost, enabling
them to run these assets for their community, safeguarding town centres and high streets as the economy grows.
Whitworth Leisure Centre CIC has extended its thanks to Alan Billingsley, Jo Furtado, Mayor Mike Royds and Whitworth Town Council and councillors.