Heywood's £10M regeneration update

The decision to demolish a popular swimming pool to make way for a £10M sports and fitness centre will be confirmed next week.

Rochdale Borough Council’s Regulatory Committee will officiate plans Tuesday (April 7) to demolish Gaskell Swimming Pool in Heywood to make way for a new two-storey building, which will include a number of sports facilities including a youth gym.

If the project, which is part of the New Heart for Heywood project, gets the official green light, there will be a large sports hall, 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, fitness suite and dance studio, education/community space, with a refreshment area and viewing space.

The Football Foundation has already handed over a £1M grant for the huge scheme.

Karen Keohane of Sport England North West said: “We were impressed with the scale of the ambitions of the partners to make a real difference to local people, which is why we’ve awarded our largest ever grant for this project."

Building of the new centre is set to begin in spring 2009 with completion in summer 2010.
Vicki Devonport, Chief Executive of the New Heart for Heywood Partnership said: “It is great news that the Football Foundation has approved this grant, and it is another major hurdle that has been jumped to make the Sports, Culture and Leisure village a reality, and create a lasting legacy from NDC and its partners.

"Once the funding is in place for the project to move ahead, the real challenge begins. We look forward to working with partners to put into place structures to ensure that the programme and services delivered from the centre are shaped by the local community, including young people.”

Speaking after handing over the cash injection to Rochdale Council and its partners, Lord Pendry said: “The facilities that will be developed here will be amongst the best in the country and are set to lead the development of sport in this part of Greater Manchester.

“They are going to be a massive benefit to the area’s youngsters and will really encourage boys and girls to enjoy their football, and other sports and leisure activities and to stay fit and healthy.”