A bright new future beckons for Whitworth Leisure Centre thanks to significant funding boost

Members and friends of the Whitworth Leisure Centre Community Interest Company (WLC CIC) are celebrating a significant funding boost which will enable an exciting transformation of the John Street site.

The successful outcome of the CIC's Community Ownership Fund (COF) grant application means they will receive £180,000 in capital funding and £36,000 in revenue funding.

The £36,000 will go towards supporting initial running costs and employment of staff to allow the CIC to open the facility full time rather than the current part time hours they are managing currently, with volunteer staff.

The centre's future has now been described as 'brighter than ever before'.

The capital funding is set to 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.

"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," said Ruth Hempsall Jones, from Whitworth Leisure Centre CIC.

"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.”

 

 

Rossendale Council transferred the ownership of the leisure centre to Whitworth Town Council last December after initially announcing plans to close the centre.
 

Read more: Whitworth Leisure Centre to be run by community interest companyPublished: 20 December 2023

The centre and its leisure operations are being leased by the council to the Whitworth Leisure Community Interest Company (CIC).

It reopened under the new CIC on 17 February this year, but with just the gym facilities at that point.

A CIC statement added: "At the beginning of our fight to save Whitworth Leisure Centre from closure we knew that the community ownership fund was the key to success.

"The delays in returning the ownership of the building to the community then meant we couldn’t apply until the beginning of this year, but despite the hurdles and delays we persisted nonetheless.

"The rigorous COF application process demanded extensive effort and commitment, underscoring the resilience of the team behind saving Whitworth Leisure Centre, specifically Alan Billingsley, whose relentless perseverance in writing the COF application with support from Jo Furtado and others.

"Without the faith in the CIC from Whitworth Town Council and Mayor Mike Royds this achievement would not have been possible.

"The COF will see the centre's transformation become a reality, ensuring it remains a vital asset for the community for years to come."

Meanwhile, the community can still support the CIC as its JustGiving page is still taking donations, or volunteers can accept cash donations in the centre if people prefer.

The CIC members will soon be on the lookout for a range of contractors to complete some of the works mentioned above, so any offer of discounted/free materials and or labour will help stretch the new funding further, subject to the CIC keeping in line with the requirements of the grant funding.

The leisure centre is still heavily reliant on volunteers to keep it open, so any offer of help to staff reception would also be appreciated.

However, members insist the best way people can support them is by signing up as a member and utilising the facility.

Donations can be made via JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/whitworthleisurecentre

If you wish to volunteer, or offer help with the refurbishment, please contact Whitworth Leisure Centre CIC on whitworthleisurecentre2023@outlook.com or via Facebook (Whitworth Leisure Centre CIC).