Town centre baths
unlikely to
ever be built
by David Skentelbery
THE possibility of a new town centre swimming pool being built in Warrington appears remote, following the borough council’s decision to press ahead with a Private Finance Initiative to provide sport and leisure services over the next 25 years.
But new pools could be built in the borough at some time in the future, according to leisure chief Colin Froggatt.
They would be built in the areas where they were needed – probably as joint-use facilities linked to schools.
Town Hall chiefs describe the decision as “groundbreaking” and say it will transform the face of leisure services in the borough.
But the council has been criticised by Liberal Democrat and Conservative opposition groups over policy on swimming provision since the closure of Warrington Baths. They say a leisure trust should have been set up years ago to run all recreation facilities, saving ?250,000-a-year and providing a better service.
Coun Froggatt said in fact, if a trust had been established, the town would have been “in the same boat” again in four years time with leisure services facing a crisis. The council was planning for the long term future of leisure services in the borough.
Consultants appointed by the council say a new town centre pool could only be provided if one of the other pools in the borough was closed.
Management of council leisure services over the next five years will go out to private sector tender.
But in the longer term, the council will drive forward with the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which could bring together health, education and leisure services under one roof.
The shake-up will see the successful Walton Hall Golf Course operating as a stand-alone operation with the Sports Development Service remaining “in-house”.
Leisure service right across the borough have been studied by the consultants, following concerns about the future of the service and the need for further investment.
Their report revealed that building a new town centre swimming pool and, more importantly, running it in future years, could strip all other Council leisure centres of their revenues and budgets – putting their futures in serious jeopardy.
It also highlighted the need for investment in other Council-run leisure centres for radical redevelopment over the next 25 years.
Coun Froggatt said: “This 25-year policy is the way forward for our leisure facilities and we can move onwards without putting the future of existing facilities at risk.
“By improving sports and leisure we will see an increase in swimming in this town. The policy will ensure that our future offers the kind of leisure facilities we want and need within our communities.”
Insight into
justice system
by Gary Skentelbery
Warrington’s Police Station and Magistrates Court opened their doors to members of the public to give people the opportunity to take an insight into the justice system.
More than 500 people attended the ‘Family Open Day’ which was a fun way to find out more about the criminal justice system. The Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Councillor Edward Lafferty and Mrs Patricia Lafferty also attended, as well as representatives from the Warrington Ethnic Minorities Association.
Visitors had a look inside the cells, found the clues in a specially constructed ‘crime scene’ and took part in a mock trial at the court. Magistrates were also on hand to talk about the history of the court and to answer any questions.
“It is vital for the police to be open and accountable and I am pleased that more than 500 residents of Warrington came and saw the complex and varied work carried out by police each and every day,” said Superintendent Julia Clayton, Divisional Commander. “We intend to hold more of these partnership events in the future to enable as many people as possible to learn more about the police and magistrates in Warrington.”
More than ?300 was raised on the day from the sale of Tombola tickets and refreshments. The money will be donated to the NSPCC.
“Dirtbusters” on show
WARRINGTON Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Services department held a fun-filled open day – which gave local people a chance to meet the “stars” of the television series “Dirtbusters.”
The Open Day, held at the Town Hall, also provided an opportunity to see the council’s new 26 tonne refuse and blue bin recycling vehicles in action.
Children were also encouraged to meet the drivers of the new vehicles and see how they work!
Warrington Wolves mascot Wolfie was also on hand to make sure the day went with a swing!
Free refreshments, courtesy of Warrington School Meals Service, were given out to visitors as well as children’s rides, raffles, candyfloss and freebies – making for a family fun day out!
Warrington council workers were among those who featured in the “Dirtbusters” series.
Lib Dems issue a
“green” challenge
by John Hendon
LIBERAL Democrats have issued an environment challenge to a Warrington MP.
Warrington South Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary candidate Ian Marks has written to Warrington South MP Helen Southworth, urging her to sign up to a 10 point Liberal Democrat Challenge to show her commitment to the environment.
Coun Marks said, “The public will not be fooled by a once-a-year speech from a Prime Minister when his party’s record on the environment is so poor. Global warming, pollution and threats to wildlife are problems that are worsening daily and cannot be tackled with empty rhetoric.
“Only the Liberal Democrats have a serious year round approach to the environment. We have consistently uncovered the Government’s environmental failures and we are the only major party putting forward genuine green alternatives.
“Our 10 point plan would cut pollution, increase energy efficiency and help protect the global environment from climate change. I challenge Helen Southworth to either sign up to it or to set out an equally radical alternative agenda for the environment.
“We would introduce a carbon tax to help protect the global environment from climate change and set long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy. We would tax high polluting vehicles and increase fines for polluters. Building regulations should be tougher and VAT reduced on energy-saving materials. There should be a tax on plastic bags and the money raised spent on sustainable waste management. We should work towards water metering for all.”
1,000 prizes
up for grabs
by staff reporter
SHOPPERS at Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre will have a chance to win more than 1,000 prize offers this Saturday when the centre bosts Warrington Disability Partnership’s Giant Tombola.
Local businesses and members of the public have donated a variety of prizes. including bottles of wine and brandy, a Quartz combination watch which is also a 35mm camera, CD players, hair styling products, various toys and a two man dome tent.
Brun Corbishley, business development and promotions manager at Warrington Disability Partnership, said: “We would like to thank all the market traders and retailers in Golden Square and Warrington for their generosity as without them this simply would not be possible. Their support is invaluable.”
The Partnership operates a variety of independent living services, including the Warrington Shopmobility scheme situated on Legh Street car park adjacent to Golden Square and a disability information point located inside Warrington Retail Market. For details of other services contact WDP Helpline on 01925 240064.
Tickets for the tombola are 25p each or five for ?1. The stall will be at Golden Square Shopping Centre from 10am and will be manned by volunteers from the Warrington Disability Partnership.
Golden Square manager Andrew Ward said: “This event is shaping up to be another great success. There are many, many wonderful prizes to be won and I am sure this tombola will be the biggest and best yet.”
An afternoon
of music
by staff reporter
CONCERT pianist Ian Buckle is presenting an afternoon concert at Lymm United Reformed Church, Brookfield Road.
The event from 3pm on Sunday October 3 is part of the Music in Lymm series.
The program will include music by Prokofiev (Romeo and Juliet), John Ireland (Sonata) Timothy Jackson (Variations on a theme by William Byrd) and Dvorak (Humoresque).
Tickets for the performance are ?7 and ?6 concessions, and are available on the door or from Stephanie florists in The Cross.
Tales of bravery
and adventure
by Lesley Wilkinson
MOUNTAINEER Doug Scott will be entertaining people with tales of adventure and bravery, when he gives a lecture at the Parr Hall, Warrington.
The illustrated talk called Sacred Summits, Sacred Moments, takes place on Tuesday October 19 at 7.30pm.
He will talk about his expeditions including Everest South West Face, Kangchenjunga North Ridge, Shivling East Pillar and Carstenz New Guinea.
Tickets, priced ?8 and ?6 concessions, are available from the Parr Hall and several other locations. Further details are available from the Parr Hall on 442345.
