Swimming pools “need to be improved”

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SWIMMING pools at Great Sankey and Appleton need to be improved to increase customer experience and boost attendances, according to a  report to Warrington Borough Council.
In addition, sports halls at Great Sankey, Appleton and Padgate need to be improved in the medium term due to the age of the facilities – again enhancing customer experience and increasing attendance.
The report is based on a review, carried out for the borough council, by leisure and lifestyle organisation LiveWire, based on Sport England guidelines.
It covers sports hall, swimming pools, health and fitness suites and specialist sporting facilities including athletics, cycling and indoor tennis. It does not cover playing pitches, including all-weather pitches, which were reviewed last year.
Facilities covered by the new review including Birchwood High School Sports Hall, Birchwood Leisure and Tennis Complex, Broomfields Leisure Centre, Culcheth Campus, Great Sankey Leisure Centre, Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, Warrington Sport for All Centre, Woolston Neighbourhood and Victoria Park Athletics Track.
The findings of the review do not commit the council or any partner to any projects or levels of investment. Rather they are seen as a tool that can potentially help secure external investment into the borough.
Most of the facilities are operated by LiveWire, but are owned by the borough council.
In general, the review aims to protect viable existing sports facilities, enhance facilities through contributions via new housing developments and ensuring investment is sought to maintain quality levels  and provide new facilities to cater for population growth.
The report, to be considered by the council’s executive board next week, highlights the swimming pools at Great Sankey Leisure and Broomfields Leisure Centre as being in need of improvement and similarly sports halls at Great Sankey Leisure Centre, Broomfields and University Academy Warrington Recreation Centre.
Population growth is expected to put increased pressure on the quantity of provision, particularly in the West and South neighbourhood areas where the highest levels of population growth are forecast.
A significant proportion of health and fitness provision is located at “registered membership use only” sites, particularly in the West neighbourhood area where less than 20 per cent of provision is pay and play access.
The executive board will be asked to approve the Sports Facilities Strategic Needs Assessment and Action Plan covering the period 2015 to 2020 on the grounds that providing the right facilities in the right place is central to enabling people to play sport and realise the ambition that Warrington become the most active town in the North West.
It is envisaged the plan will be subject to further  consultation with schools, clubs and other organisations and may be expanded to include other activities, such as water sports.
Pictured: The proposed new stand at the Victoria Park Athletics Track – an example of how facilities can be enhanced.


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