Call for Council to do more to save leisure facilities at Culcheth

A CONCERNED councillor is calling on Warrington Borough Council to do more to save leisure facilities at Culcheth which are under threat of closure.

Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Councillor Val Allen MBE has called on the Borough Council to “do more” to safeguard leisure facilities in the facility based at Culcheth High School.
Cllr Allen’s comments come after LiveWire announced that it had suffered a drop in commercial income of £3.2 Million since lockdown.
LiveWire operates leisure facilities on behalf of the Borough Council including the Culcheth Community Campus.
Cllr Allen also sits on Croft Parish Council and has described that a loss of the facilities would be a “tremendous blow” to the local area.
She said: “I am concerned at the announcement about the possible closure of the Culcheth Community Campus. The Council must do more to safeguard the future of the Community Campus.”
“In the rural communities of Culcheth, Glazebury, Croft and surrounding areas, these leisure facilities are not only one of the only offerings for fitness, health and wellbeing but the Community Campus facilities are also a lifeline for local communities. “
“If the Community Campus was to close, it would be a tremendous blow for the community and the sports teams who use the facilities, including the sports pitches.”
LiveWire has launched a consultation about the future of Culcheth Community Campus.
Cllr Allen added: “I have been contacted by a number of concerned residents and I would encourage everyone to engage with the consultation survey and have your voice heard. It is simply unacceptable to close our community facilities.”
Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for leisure and community, Cllr Tony Higgins, said: “We understand the concerns of the Culcheth community and we are committed to fully engaging them in the discussions over the future of leisure provision in the area.
“The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in a substantial loss of income for our leisure and library services, and we have not received a sufficient level of funding from the government to mitigate this. The last thing we want to do is change or reduce services, but the unprecedented challenges we are facing mean we have no choice but to consider cost-saving proposals. This is essential if we are to protect the future of our wider leisure, libraries and lifestyles provision.
“Culcheth Community Campus faces specific challenges. The small size of the site means that to operate it under socially-distanced conditions would not be financially viable. At the same time, the site has operated at a loss for some time. While we have always sought to maintain the site in the community through the absorbing of this loss by our other sites, we are no longer in a position to do this. The huge financial pressures we are now facing mean that it is the right time to reassess the future direction of the site.
“Our consultation runs until early January, so please have your say. All views will be taken fully on board.”
The survey can be completed by CLICKING HERE